Interactions of Photons with Matter

Abstract

This chapter provides an introduction to interaction of photons with atoms of absorber for photons of energy exceeding the ionization energy of absorber atoms. The chapter starts with definition of parameters used to describe the general aspects of photon interactions with absorber atoms and then continues to a classification of the various modes of photon interaction with absorber atoms, depending upon type of target, type of interaction, and type of particle released. Most important modes of photon interaction with absorber, such as photon-“free” electron interaction (Compton effect), photon-atom interaction (photoelectric effect), photon-bound electron interaction (Rayleigh scattering), photon-nuclear field interaction (nuclear pair production), photon-orbital electron field interaction (electronic pair production), and direct photon-nucleus interaction (photodisintegration), are discussed in detail in this chapter.