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Scattering processes describe how particles, waves, or fields deviate from a straight trajectory due to interactions with other particles or potential fields. These interactions are fundamental in understanding phenomena across various domains, including quantum mechanics, optics, and astrophysics.
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Elastic scattering is a fundamental interaction where particles collide and deflect without any change in their internal states or kinetic energy. It is crucial for understanding processes in various fields like nuclear physics, particle physics, and materials science, as it provides insights into the structure and forces between particles.
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Inelastic scattering is a process where the kinetic energy of an incident particle is not conserved, resulting in energy being transferred to internal degrees of freedom, such as excitations or vibrations, of the target. This phenomenon is crucial for understanding material properties and interactions at the atomic and molecular levels, with applications in fields like spectroscopy and condensed matter physics.
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Rayleigh scattering is the scattering of light or other electromagnetic radiation by particles much smaller than the wavelength of the radiation, which is why the sky appears blue as shorter wavelengths scatter more than longer ones. It is a fundamental concept in understanding how light interacts with the atmosphere and affects phenomena such as the color of the sky and the reddening of the sun at sunset and sunrise.
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Mie Scattering is a form of light scattering that occurs when the particles causing the scattering are of a size comparable to the wavelength of the light, leading to complex angular scattering patterns. It is crucial for understanding phenomena such as the color of the sky and the appearance of fog, clouds, and aerosols in the atmosphere.
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Compton Scattering is a quantum mechanical phenomenon where X-ray or gamma-ray photons collide with electrons, resulting in a change in the photon's direction and a decrease in its energy. This effect provides evidence for the particle nature of light and supports the concept of photons having momentum.
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Rutherford Scattering is a phenomenon that provided crucial evidence for the nuclear model of the atom, demonstrating that an atom's positive charge and most of its mass are concentrated in a small nucleus. This discovery overturned the plum pudding model and laid the groundwork for modern atomic physics.
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Quantum Scattering Theory is a fundamental framework in quantum mechanics that describes how particles or waves scatter from potential fields or other particles. It provides insights into the interaction dynamics at a quantum level, essential for understanding phenomena in fields such as nuclear, atomic, and condensed matter physics.
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A cross section is a two-dimensional representation of a slice through an object or structure, often used to analyze the internal features or to simplify complex three-dimensional shapes for easier study. It is widely utilized in various fields such as physics, engineering, biology, and mathematics to gain insights into the internal composition and behavior of materials or systems.
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The Born Approximation is a method used in quantum mechanics and scattering theory to approximate the scattering amplitude of a wave by a potential, assuming the potential is weak. It simplifies the calculation of scattering cross-sections by treating the interaction as a perturbation to the free wave propagation.
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Feynman diagrams are graphical representations used in particle physics to visualize and calculate interactions between particles in quantum field theory. They simplify complex calculations by depicting particle interactions as lines and vertices, making it easier to understand and compute processes like scattering and decay.
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Scattering amplitude is a fundamental quantity in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory that describes the probability amplitude of a particle scattering from an initial state to a final state. It encodes information about the interaction dynamics and is crucial for calculating cross-sections and predicting experimental outcomes in particle physics.
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Diffraction is the bending and spreading of waves around obstacles and openings, which occurs when the wave encounters a barrier or slit that is comparable in size to its wavelength. This phenomenon is a fundamental characteristic of wave behavior and is crucial in understanding wave interactions in various contexts, such as light, sound, and quantum mechanics.
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Wave-particle duality is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics that describes how every particle or quantum entity exhibits both wave and particle properties. This duality is exemplified by experiments such as the double-slit experiment, where particles like electrons create interference patterns, a characteristic of waves, yet also behave as discrete particles when observed.
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The Optical Theorem is a fundamental principle in quantum mechanics and wave scattering, relating the forward scattering amplitude to the total cross-section of a scattering process. It provides a crucial link between the observable scattering pattern and the underlying interaction potential, allowing for the determination of total interaction strength from measurable quantities.
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Secondary particles are generated as a result of primary particles interacting with matter, often observed in high-energy physics experiments and cosmic ray interactions. They provide valuable insights into the fundamental forces and particles of the universe by allowing scientists to study the behavior and properties of the primary particles indirectly.
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Free-free emission, also known as bremsstrahlung, occurs when a charged particle, typically an electron, is deflected by the electric field of an ion without being captured, emitting radiation in the process. This mechanism is significant in astrophysical contexts, such as in the hot, diffuse gas of galaxy clusters and the solar corona, where it contributes to the continuum X-ray and radio emissions observed.
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