Quantum Security Scanner · AI Generator #GEN-EB2F647E

Physics · modern-physics

Problem

A modern airport security scanner uses X-rays with wavelength λ=0.15  nm\lambda = 0.15\;\text{nm} to detect materials inside luggage. When these X-rays scatter off electrons in a suspicious metal object, the scattered photons are detected at an angle of θ=60°\theta = 60° relative to the incident beam direction. Due to the Compton effect, the scattered X-rays have a different wavelength than the incident beam. What is the wavelength of the scattered X-rays? Use the electron rest mass me=9.11×10−31  kgm_e = 9.11 \times 10^{-31}\;\text{kg}, Planck's constant h=6.63×10−34  J⋅sh = 6.63 \times 10^{-34}\;\text{J·s}, and the speed of light c=3.00×108  m/sc = 3.00 \times 10^8\;\text{m/s}.

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