Temperature and the Compton Effect

The intensity of x-rays diffusely scattered by crystals should increase with the temperature according to Debye. It is to be expected that these scattered rays of Debye would be unmodified. Hence the ratio of modified to unmodified rays may decrease with the temperature. Debye's argument applies to powdered crystals and therefore to so-called amorphous substances. The effect of temperature on this ratio has therefore been examined. Using DeFoe's method an aluminum absorbing sheet was transferred from the primary to the scattered beam and the ratio of the two ionization currents found at temperatures of -140^∘{}C, 25^∘{}C and 565^∘{}C. Wave-lengths ranging from 0.32A to 0.62A were scattered by carbon at angles of 60^∘{}, 75^∘{} and 90^∘{}. Also x-rays were scattered from aluminum and copper at angles of 90^∘{} and 130^∘{}. In each case the difference between the ratios at the different temperatures was not greater than the probable error, implying that there is no effect of temperature on the ratio of modified to unmodified rays in the Compton effect.