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), Vol. 228:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
ENERGY SPECTRA
X RADIATION
COMPTON EFFECT
CROSS SECTIONS
DIFFUSION
ELECTRONS
FOKKER-PLANCK EQUATION
GREEN FUNCTION
MONTE CARLO METHOD
RADIATION TRANSPORT
THOMSON SCATTERING
BASIC INTERACTIONS
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
ELASTIC SCATTERING
ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERACTIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EQUATIONS
FERMIONS
FUNCTIONS
INELASTIC SCATTERING
INTERACTIONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LEPTONS
RADIATIONS
SCATTERING
SPECTRA
640101* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Cosmic Radiation
640103 - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources- (-1987)