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Compton Shift Calculator

Work out compton shift instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Compton Shift Calculator

Compton scattering shifts a photon's wavelength by (h/m(e)c)(1 - cos theta), where h/m(e)c = 2.426 pm is the electron Compton wavelength. A 0.0711 nm molybdenum X-ray scattered at 90 degrees gains 2.426 pm, losing about 4.1 keV to the recoiling electron. The shift is independent of the incident wavelength, which is what proved photons carry momentum.

Formulas

Compton shift

d(lambda) = (h / m(e) c)(1 - cos theta)

Electron energy

E(electron) = E(in) - E(out)

Worked example

With the default values below, Compton Shift Calculator returns Compton Shift of 2.42631. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Incident photon wavelengthminimum 0 nm
0.0711 nm
Scattering angleaccepts 0–180 deg
90 deg

Results

Compton Shift
2.42631 pm
Scattered Wavelength
7.35263 × 10⁻² nm
Energy Given To The Electron
575.440 eV
Electron Compton Wavelength
2.42631 pm

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Compton shift
  3. 3Electron energy
  4. 4Compton Shift= 2.42631 pm
  5. 5Scattered Wavelength= 0.07353 nm
  6. 6Energy Given To The Electron= 575.440 eV
  7. 7Electron Compton Wavelength= 2.42631 pm

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 2 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 5 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the shift so small for visible light?

Because 2.4 pm against 500 nm is one part in 200,000. Compton scattering is only measurable for X-rays and gamma rays.

What happens at 180 degrees?

Backscatter gives the maximum shift, twice the Compton wavelength at 4.85 pm, and transfers the most energy to the electron.

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