Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Aug 1982
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1982apj...259...25r&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal, Part 1, vol. 259, Aug. 1, 1982, p. 25-29.
Mathematics
Logic
4
Cosmology, Elementary Particle Interactions, Momentum Transfer, Quantum Mechanics, Thomson Scattering, Universe, Cosmic Rays, Electron Scattering, Protons, Scattering Cross Sections
Scientific paper
A comparison is made between the classical Thomson scattering and the quantum-mechanical Klein-Nishina approach for the scattering of electrons and photons. For the two cases, the rate of momentum transfer to the electrons by the radiation are computed. The Thomson scattering is found to be in good agreement with the Klein-Nishina formula for radiation temperatures up to about 10 million K. At higher temperatures, the Klein-Nishina scattering predicts a lower transfer rate than that predicted by the Thomson case, and at radiation temperatures of about one billion K, the reduction is of the order of 0.005. Many cosmological studies begin at temperatures of this order, so the Klein-Nishina approach ought to be used in this situation. The dependence of the two transfer rates on electron velocity is also studied, and finally, using Klein-Nishina scattering, the transfer rate for the particular case of an equilibrium distribution of electrons interacting with the radiation is considered.
Landsberg Peter T.
Reeves G. A.
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