Some Features of the Direct and Inverse Double-Compton Effect as Applied to Astrophysics

Viktor Dubrovich,Timur Zalialiutdinov

doi:10.3390/physics3040074

Viktor Dubrovich, Timur Zalialiutdinov

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/physics3040074

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Abstract

In the present paper, the process of inverse double-Compton (IDC) scattering is considered in the context of astrophysical applications. It is assumed that the two hard X-ray photons emitted from an astrophysical source are scattered on a free electron and converted into a single soft photon of optical range. Using the QED S-matrix formalism for the derivation of a cross-section of direct double-Compton (DDC) scattering and assuming detailed balance conditions, an analytical expression for the cross-section of the IDC process is presented. It is shown that at fixed energies of incident photons, the inverse cross-section has no infrared divergences, and its behavior is completely defined by the spectral characteristics of the photon source itself, in particular by the finite interaction time of radiation with an electron. Thus, even for the direct process, the problem of resolving infrared divergence actually refers to a real physical source of radiation in which photons are never actually plane waves. As a result, the physical frequency profile of the scattered radiation for DDC as well as for IDC processes is a function of both the intensity and line shape of the incident photon field.

Highlights

In the present paper, the process of inverse double-Compton (IDC) scattering is considered in the context of astrophysical applications
The object of this paper is to give an expression for the inverse double-Compton effect (IDC), i.e., the third-order process in which two hard photons colliding with a free electron give rise to one scattered soft photon
The interest in such calculations lies in the fact that, though the cross-section for this process is small in comparison with ordinary Compton scattering, the high-intensity X-ray photons in the vicinity of astrophysical sources allow a possible study of these phenomena

Summary

Introduction

The process of inverse double-Compton (IDC) scattering is considered in the context of astrophysical applications. The interest in such calculations lies in the fact that, though the cross-section for this process is small in comparison with ordinary Compton scattering, the high-intensity X-ray photons in the vicinity of astrophysical sources allow a possible study of these phenomena.

Results

Conclusion