Question: In class, we discussed Compton scattering + q + q , where a photon elastically hits a stationary charged particle q ( commonly electron )

In class, we discussed Compton scattering + q + q, where a photon elastically hits a stationary charged particle q (commonly electron) and undergoes a wavelength shift due to energy loss in the interaction. Now, you will consider a different version of this, namely inverse Compton scattering. In this case, a relatively low-energy photon collides elastically with a high-energy charged particle, as a result of which yields a final photon more energetic than the initial one (energy gain, or energy transfer). Take c =1 below. a)(25 Points) Consider a photon with energy (E_) making a head-on collision (i.e. the incident angle = ) with a proton with energy E_p > E_. Determine the scattering angle at which the energy of the final photon is maximum. b)(10 Points) For a large energy proton, E_p >> m_p, show that the energy of the final photon (for the maximal case you found in part a) is given as E'_ = E_p/(1+(m_p)^2/4*E_p*E_). c)(10 Points) Now consider ultra-high-energy cosmic protons with energy E_p =10^20 eV. Such rays are not expected to arrive at Earth if they are created outside our galaxy, since while traveling such distances (larger than their mean free path) they lose energy by interacting at least once with low-energy photons in the cosmic microwave background (CMB), which fills our universe. By using m_p 10^9 eV and CMB photon energy E 310^4 eV with the result in part b, estimate the energy loss ratio for the proton after a single interaction with a CMB photon.

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