Why do electrons on the surfaces of a lens focus photons instead of scattering them in all directions?

figoveck38

figoveck38

Answered question

2022-11-13

Why do electrons on the surfaces of a lens focus photons instead of scattering them in all directions?

Answer & Explanation

Sean Sutton

Sean Sutton

Beginner2022-11-14Added 17 answers

There are at least two things going on
- Many bound electrons are not free to Compton scatter light of optical wavelengths.
That is, bound electrons are limited to the energies or allowed orbitals, and if the Compton scattering energy is lower than the smallest step from a currently occupied orbital to a unoccupied one than Compton scattering simple can't happen.
Even if there are orbitals accessible to Compton scattering of visible band light, the cross-section for such scattering will include only those angles that have the right energy transfers, and will therefore be much lower than the free Compton scattering cross-section.
- Diffraction is a coherent phenomena which involves the interactions of light with the electrons of many atoms taken together and is more clearly described classically. It result from the combination of the resonant delay of light propagation in the medium and Huygen's principle.

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