Scattering experiments

Scattering experiments (atoms and molecules)

Experiments in which a beam of incident electrons, atoms, or molecules is deflected by collisions with an atom or molecule. Such experiments provide tests of the theory of scattering as well as information about atomic and molecular forces. Scattering experiments can be designed to simulate conditions in planetary atmospheres, electrical discharges, gas lasers, fusion reactors, stars, and planetary nebulae. See Electrical conduction in gases, Gas discharge, Laser, Nuclear fusion

In general, in any type of collision, scattering occurs, which causes the direction of relative motion of the two systems to be rotated to a new direction after the collision. More than two systems may also result from such an impact. A complete description of a collision event requires measurement of the directions, speeds, and internal states of all the products. See Collision (physics)

There are two basic types of scattering experiments. The simpler involves passing a collimated beam of particles (electrons, atoms, molecules, or ions) through a dilute target gas (in a cell or a jet) and measuring the fraction of incident particles that are deflected into a certain angle relative to the incident beam direction. In the second method, a collimated beam of particles intersects a second beam. The scattering events are usually registered by measuring the deflection or internal-state change of the beam particles. See Molecular beams

Scattering in a particular type of collision is specified in terms of a differential cross section. The probability that, in a particular type of collision, the direction of motion of the electron is turned through a specified scattering angle into a specified solid angle is proportional to the corresponding differential scattering cross section. Collision cross sections can be measured with appropriately designed experimental apparatus. Depending on the type of collision process, that apparatus may measure the scattering angle, energy, charge, or mass of the scattered systems.

For the simplest case, the scattering of a beam of structureless particles of specified mass and speed by a structureless scattering center, the differential cross section may be calculated exactly by using the quantum theory. In the special case where the Coulomb force fully describes the interaction, both the quantum and classical theory give the same exact value for the differential cross section at all values of the scattering angle.

For scattering of systems with internal structure (for example, molecules, and their ions), no exact theoretical calculation of the cross section is possible. Methods of approximation specific to different types of collisions have been developed. The power of modern high-speed computers has greatly increased their scope and effectiveness, with scattering experiments serving as benchmarks. See Atomic structure and spectra

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Scattering experiments (nuclei)

Experiments in which beams of particles such as electrons, nucleons, alpha particles and other atomic nuclei, and mesons are deflected by elastic collisions with atomic nuclei. Much is learned from such experiments about the nature of the scattered particle, the scattering center, and the forces acting between them. Scattering experiments, made possible by the construction of high-energy particle accelerators and the development of specialized techniques for detecting the scattered particles, are one of the main sources of information regarding the structure of matter. See Nuclear structure, Particle accelerator, Particle detector, Scattering matrix