Approximative formulae for effective Compton cross-section in a medium of power-law electron distribution
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The effective Compton cross-section, $\sigma_{C,eff}$, is evaluated for a monochromatic beam of photons passing through a medium of highly energetic electrons undergoing isotropic power-law energy distribution $N(E) \propto E^{-p}$ ($p > 2$), as the characteristic distribution of many astrophysical shocked media. General approximative analytic formulae are suggested, with errors up to a few percent. The results demonstrate substantial suppression of the effective cross-section even for low-energy photons. Exact analytical solutions are also presented in some special cases. The proposed approximative formulae are applicable to evaluate the opacity of highly energized astrophysical shocked media.
Source: Results in Physics
Authors: Vahid Borji, Farzan Momeni
Institution: Kharazmi University
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,920
OpenAlex ID: W4413198024