The Space-Distribution of the Photo-Electrons Ejected by X-Rays

Abstract

None of the theories which have heretofore been proposed to account for the apparent emission of x-ray electrons from the atom over a wide range of angles instead of in one definite direction is entirely satisfactory. Since the scattering of the electrons which takes place in neighboring atoms has not been completely eliminated in any of the experimental work, the Rutherford theory of nuclear scattering is applied to the problem. This theory together with the assumption that the electrons all start out from the parent-atom in the same direction can be made to explain in a satisfactory way all the details of the observed space-distribution. It gives the amount of the spread quantitatively; it gives the form of the distribution curves; it explains the difference between the lateral and longitudinal distributions; it explains the dependence of the amount of the spread upon the nature of the atoms from which the electrons are ejected and the frequency of the x-rays which do the ejecting; and it accounts for the disagreement among various observers regarding this dependence. Incidentally it is pointed out that the scattering of 17 kv electrons by hydrogen nuclei is many times greater than can be accounted for on the classical theory.