Calculation of Atomic and Molecular Momentum Expectation Values and Total Energies from Compton-Scattering Data

Abstract

Measurement of a system's Compton profile makes possible, in principle, the calculation of its electronic radial momentum distribution. From this quantity, the expectation values $〈p^n〉$ and the total energy may be obtained. The feasibility of using Compton-scattering data in this way is examined in view of the limitations imposed by (i) random experimental errors on the measured profile, and (ii) restriction of the profile data to a finite range of momenta. It is concluded that while present techniques may be adequate for a few systems, improved experimental methods are required before Compton scattering becomes a useful source of atomic and molecular energies.