Abstract
THE dispersion formula of Kramers and Heisenberg is valid for an atomic system the dimensions of which are small compared with the wave-length of incident light. For very short waves the scattering from an atom will of course approach the Compton effect for free electrons; and this has been treated very fully by Dirac and Gordon. A treatment of dispersion theory on the basis of wave mechanics has been given by Schrödinger and Klein, who have also outlined a simple treatment of the Compton effect. Following a procedure rather analogous to that of Klein, it is possible to work out a generalised dispersion formula, holding also for waves short compared with atomic dimensions and making it possible to follow the gradual transformation of ordinary dispersion into the Compton effect.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
WALLER, I. The Transition from Ordinary Dispersion into Compton Effect. Nature 120, 155–156 (1927). https://doi.org/10.1038/120155a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/120155a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
