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Compton Scattering
The Compton Scattering lab aims to expose students to the Compton scattering effect, demonstrate how to measure the effect at different angles and how this affects the scattering cross section, show the energy-angle interdependence of the effect, and show the differences between observed data and theoretical calculations. The lab equipment used in this experiment heavily relies on electronics, as with many of the other experiments in this course. A computer is used for data acquisition and analysis, with a CZT gamma ray detector from Amptek.
The experiment itself is done to observe and analyze the Compton scattering effect. A radioactive source that emits gamma rays, Am-241 in this lab, is placed at the beginning of a brass tube which keeps the radiation going only in the direction of the end of the pipe. This beam of gamma radiation is then used to strike a scatterer at varying angles, with the scattering energy being measured by the detector and analyzed as a function of scattering angle.
The experiment is started and stopped through a computer program that interfaces with the other equipment, and all data analysis is done by the computer as well. Known values can be compared to experiemntal values, with theoretical values able to be claculated as well. Scattering measurements are made at 10 degree increments for between 110 degrees and 160 degrees and between 0 degrees and 70 degrees. A measurement is also taken at 90 degrees. |
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NEEP Lab Course Instructor:
Yaron Danon, vist Dr.
Danon's web site |
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