The Compton cross section is a measure of the probability that a photon will scatter off of a particle, such as an electron, during a Compton scattering event.
The Compton cross section is derived using quantum electrodynamics, which describes the interactions between particles and electromagnetic fields. It involves complex mathematical calculations and is based on the principles of conservation of energy and momentum.
The Compton cross section is directly proportional to the electron's mass. This means that as the electron's mass increases, the probability of a photon scattering off of it also increases.
The Compton cross section is an important quantity in particle physics as it allows us to calculate the likelihood of a Compton scattering event occurring. This is crucial in understanding the behavior of particles and their interactions with electromagnetic fields.
The Compton cross section is inversely proportional to the energy of the photon. This means that as the energy of the photon increases, the probability of it scattering off of a particle decreases. This behavior is known as the Klein-Nishina formula and is an important concept in understanding the scattering of high-energy photons.