A Corpuscular Quantum Theory of the Scattering of Polarized X-rays

Abstract

The methods of a previous paper, which gave a corpuscular quantum theory of the scattering of unpolarized x-rays are here applied to the scattering of polarized x-rays. A formula is derived for the intensity scattered in any direction, and from this an expression is obtained for the ratio of the intensity scattered in the direction of the electric vector to that scattered in a direction perpendicular both to the electric vector and to the primary beam. The intensity scattered in the direction of the electric vector is not zero as it should be on the classical theory. Taking the polarizing angle as the angle of scattering which gives completely polarized rays from unpolarized primary rays, a formula is derived which shows that for very long wave-lengths the polarizing angle is 90°, but for short wave-lengths it is less than 90°.