Scattering experiment
A scattering experiment is an experiment in atomic , nuclear or particle physics . Historically based on the Rutherford experiment , one tries to research the properties of the material, ie the particles of which it is made, by bombarding a material with a particle beam . When the bullet not only deflects the projectile particles, but also creates new particles, for example, we speak of reactions .
Differentiation according to the type of target
Fix-target experiment
A particle beam made up of atoms , ions or electrons is used to shoot a block or foil made of a material that is to be examined. Due to the distribution of the scattered or otherwise exiting particles one can draw conclusions about the properties of the targets (Engl. Target ) draw.
The Rutherford experiment can be considered as an example.
Collider experiment
Two particles from opposing beams are made to collide. This enables much higher energy conversions to be achieved (see colliding beam experiment ). This makes it possible to study the structure of matter on even smaller scales.
One example is the ATLAS experiment .
Differentiation according to the type of dispersion
Elastic dispersion
Elastic scattering does not provide any information about the structure of the particles themselves, but about the field in its environment, such as the Rutherford experiment. One result is an upper limit for the spatial extent of the scattering target.
Inelastic scattering
If the projectile particle comes close enough to the target particle - either because its energy is large enough to overcome repulsive potentials or because, like neutrons or neutrinos, it is not subject to field forces - inelastic scattering processes can occur. If inelastic scattering processes are found in the experiment, conclusions can be drawn about the properties of the target from the results.
Deep inelastic scattering
If the energy of the projectile particle is so high that its De Broglie wavelength is much smaller than the size of the target particle, one speaks of deep inelastic scattering . This allows extensive statements about the structure of the target particles.
literature
- Povh, Rith, Scholz, Zetsche: Particles and Cores , Springer, 4th edition 1997, ISBN 3-540-61737-X