Photon scattering is a physical process in which light particles, known as photons, interact with matter and change direction or energy. This can occur through various mechanisms, such as Compton scattering, Rayleigh scattering, and Raman scattering.
The fundamental concepts of photon scattering include the wave-particle duality of light, the energy and momentum conservation laws, and the interaction between photons and matter. Understanding these concepts is crucial in comprehending the various branches of photon scattering.
Photon scattering has numerous applications in various fields, including material science, biomedical imaging, atmospheric science, and astrophysics. It is also widely used in research and development of new technologies, such as optical sensors and medical diagnostics.
The branches of photon scattering include elastic scattering, inelastic scattering, coherent scattering, and incoherent scattering. Other branches include Thomson scattering, Mie scattering, and Brillouin scattering.
Photon scattering is studied and measured through various experimental techniques, such as spectroscopy, diffraction, and imaging. These techniques allow scientists to analyze the properties of scattered photons, such as their energy, direction, and polarization, and gain insights into the structure and dynamics of matter.