P6.5.6.
Atomic and nuclear physics Quantitative observation of
Nuclear physics the Compton effect
Compton effect
Description from CASSY Lab 2
For loading examples and settings,
please use the CASSY Lab 2 help.
CASSY Lab 2 (2013-06-07)
© by LD DIDACTIC GmbH · Leyboldstrasse 1 · D-50354 Huerth · www.ld-didactic.com
Phone: +49-2233-604-0 · Fax: +49-2233-604-222 · E-mail:
[email protected] · Technical alterations reserved
CASSY Lab 2
Quantitative observation of the Compton effect
can also be carried out with Pocket-CASSY
Safety note
When handling radioactive preparations, in addition to the radiation protection regulations, state-specific require-
ments and the regulations of the educational authorities are also to be observed, e.g. in the Federal Republic of
Germany at the very least the radiation protection regulations (StrlSchV - Strahlenschutzverordnung) and the direc-
tives on safety during school lessons. The preparation used in this experiment requires official permission! Before
purchase, the radiation officer has to obtain permission from the authorities.
Since the used preparations produce ionizing radiation, the following safety rules must nevertheless be kept to:
Prevent access to the preparations by unauthorized persons.
Before using the reparations make sure that they are intact.
For the purpose of shielding, keep the preparations in their safety container.
To ensure minimum exposure time and minimum activity, take the preparations out of the safety container
only as long as is necessary for carrying out the experiment.
To ensure maximum distance, hold the preparations only at the upper end of the metal holder.
Experiment description
An energy calibration of the scintillation counter is made. The energy distribution of γ quanta scattered in an alumi-
num scatterer is recorded for several angles between the source and the detector. From this the quantitative confir-
mation of the Compton effect is obtained.
Equipment list
1 Sensor-CASSY 524 010 or 524 013
1 CASSY Lab 2 524 220
1 MCA box 524 058
1 Mixed preparation α, β, γ 559 845 or 559 835
1 Equipment set Compton 559 800
1 Cs-137 preparation, 3.7 MBq 559 809 (requires permission)
1 Scintillation counter 559 901
1 Detector output stage 559 912
1 High-voltage power supply 1.5 kV 521 68
1 PC with Windows XP/Vista/7/8
© by LD DIDACTIC GmbH · Leyboldstrasse 1 · D-50354 Huerth · www.ld-didactic.com
Phone: +49-2233-604-0 · Fax: +49-2233-604-222 · E-mail:
[email protected] · Technical alterations reserved
330
CASSY Lab 2
Experiment setup (see drawing)
The output stage of the scintillation counter is connected to the MCA box and to the high-voltage power supply. The
experiment panel from the Equipment set Compton is put down and the lead screening set up correspondingly.
Carrying out the experiment
Load settings
First make an energy calibration of the scintillation counter. For this insert the mixed preparation in the sample
holder from the Equipment set Compton, align it at the 0° mark. Leave the aluminum scatterer aside.
Record the spectrum with , and make the energy calibration with the lines at 662 keV and 59.5 keV.
Replace the mixed preparation with the Cs-137 preparation, set up the preparation at 30°, and set up the alumi-
num scatterer. Place the additional screening in the direct line of vision between the preparation and the detector.
Record the spectrum with , then remove the aluminum scatterer, and record a new spectrum.
The difference between the two spectra (with and without the aluminum scatterer) is the scattering spectrum.
Repeat the measurement at various angles of the preparation, each time subtracting a spectrum without the alu-
minum scatterer from a spectrum with the aluminum scatterer. Always shift the additional screening in the setup
so that the direct line of vision between the preparation and the detector is blocked.
Evaluation
From the scattering spectra (difference with and without aluminum scatterer) the energy of the scattered g quanta is
determined. The values are plotted against the associated angles and compared with the theoretical values:
Alternatively a Free fit can be performed.
© by LD DIDACTIC GmbH · Leyboldstrasse 1 · D-50354 Huerth · www.ld-didactic.com
Phone: +49-2233-604-0 · Fax: +49-2233-604-222 · E-mail:
[email protected] · Technical alterations reserved
331
