Compton Scattering Measurement to Detect Momentum Distribution of Electrons in Warm Dense Matter

Abstract

Detailed study of electrons in warm dense matter is a key to understanding material properties. Up to now there are many methods to detect electron spectral features with optical lasers and x-rays. Here we propose and demonstrate a new measurement method using inelastic Compton scattering of hard x-ray probe radiation. By using a high energy photon beam, above 100 keV, the change of the electron momentum distribution is observed through a change of the scattered x-ray spectrum even in a solid density plasmas.