Comptonization of X-rays by low-temperature electrons
We describe a method for calculating the spectrum that results from the Compton scattering of a monochromatic source of X-rays by low-temperature electrons, both for initial value relaxation problems and for steady-state spatial diffusion problems. The method gives an exact solution of the initial value problem for evolution of the spectrum in an infinite homogeneous medium if Klein-Nishina corrections to the Thomson cross section are neglected. This, together with approximate solutions for problems in which Klein-Nishina corrections are significant and/or spatial diffusion occurs, shows spectral structure near the original photon wavelength that may be used to infer physical conditions in cosmic X-ray sources. Explicit results, shown for examples of time relaxation in an infinite medium and spatial diffusion through a uniform sphere, are compared with results obtained by Monte Carlo calculations and by solving the appropriate Fokker-Planck equation.
- Research Organization:
- Space Research Institute, Academy of Sciences of USSR
- OSTI ID:
- 6094327
- Journal Information:
- Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 228:1; ISSN ASJOA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
640103 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BASIC INTERACTIONS
COMPTON EFFECT
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
CROSS SECTIONS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DIFFUSION
ELASTIC SCATTERING
ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERACTIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY SPECTRA
EQUATIONS
FERMIONS
FOKKER-PLANCK EQUATION
FUNCTIONS
GREEN FUNCTION
INELASTIC SCATTERING
INTERACTIONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LEPTONS
MONTE CARLO METHOD
RADIATION TRANSPORT
RADIATIONS
SCATTERING
SPECTRA
THOMSON SCATTERING
X RADIATION