Photon escape probabilities in a semi-infinite plane-parallel medium

Journal Article · Sun Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/161656· OSTI ID:7010495

Williams, A C; Elsner, R F; Weisskopf, M C; Darbro, W

It is shown in this work how to obtain the probabilities of photons escaping from a cold electron plasma environment after having undergone an arbitrary number of scatterings. This is done by retaining the exact differential cross section for Thomson scattering as opposed to using its polarization and angle averaged form. The results are given in the form of recursion relations. The geometry used is the semi-infinite plane-parallel geometry with a photon source located on a plane at an arbitrary optical depth below the surface. Analytical expressions are given for the probabilities which are accurate over a wide range of initial optical depth. These results can be used to model compact X-ray galactic sources which are surrounded by an electron-rich plasma.

• Research Organization: Space Science Laboratory, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center
• OSTI ID: 7010495
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 276:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640103* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
BASIC INTERACTIONS
COLD PLASMA
COMPTON EFFECT
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
CROSS SECTIONS
ELASTIC SCATTERING
ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERACTIONS
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EMISSION
FERMIONS
INELASTIC SCATTERING
INTERACTIONS
LEPTONS
PHOTON EMISSION
PLASMA
PROBABILITY
RECURSION RELATIONS
SCATTERING
THOMSON SCATTERING