Exploring Quantum Physics through Hands-on Projects by David Prutchi & Shanni R. Prutchi

Author:David Prutchi & Shanni R. Prutchi
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781118170700
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Published: 2012-02-22T16:00:00+00:00

where E is the energy of the original gamma photon (662 keV for 137Cs), and E’ is the energy of the backscattered photon. The Compton edge thus sits at Ee = E - E’.

Although that in itself is a demonstration of the Compton Effect, it is much more dramatic to place a thick aluminum block (at least 5-cm thick) behind the source, as shown in Figure 87b.23 This will cause a large number of photons with energy E’ to be backscattered by electrons in the aluminum. You can thus verify the Compton Effect by comparing the channel numbers at which the Compton peak (E’) and Compton edge (Ee) appear in relationship to the channel number for the 662-keV 137Cs line. If Dr. Compton was right to assume that photons are actual particles, then you should see the Compton edge Ee at around 480 keV, and the backscattered peak E’ at around 180 keV.

The correctness of the Compton Effect can also be confirmed by calculating the mass of the electron me from the measurement of the Compton edge and the Compton peak24:

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