In gamma spectrometry, the Compton edge is a feature of a detector output spectrum that results from Compton scattering in such as a scintillation detector or Photodiode detector. It occurs when a gamma-ray scatters within the detector and some of the interaction energy escapes so that only a fraction is detected. The amount of energy deposited in the detector depends on the scattering angle of the photon, leading to a spectrum of energies each corresponding to a different scattering angle. The highest energy that can be deposited, corresponding to full backscatter, is called the Compton edge. In mathematical terms, the Compton edge is the inflection point of the high-energy side of the Compton region.^[1]

Background

Gamma spectrum of radioactive Am-Be source. The Compton Spectrum or Continuum is due to scattering effects within the detector material, culminating in the Compton Edge, above which no more energy due to scattering is generated. The photopeak after the Compton edge is due to direct detection of the incident gamma rays.

In a Compton scattering process, an incident photon collides with an electron in a material. The amount of energy exchanged varies with angle, and is given by the formula:

${\displaystyle {\frac {1}{E^{\prime }}}-{\frac {1}{E}}={\frac {1}{m_{\text{e}}c^{2}}}\left(1-\cos \theta \right)}$

or

${\displaystyle E^{\prime }={\frac {E}{1+{\frac {E}{m_{\text{e}}c^{2}}}(1-\cos \theta )}}}$ ^[2]

• E is the energy of the incident photon.
• E' is the energy of the outgoing photon, which escapes the material.
• ${\displaystyle m_{\text{e}}}$ is the mass of the electron.
• c is the speed of light.
• ${\displaystyle \theta }$ is the angle of deflection for the photon.

The amount of energy transferred to the material varies with the angle of deflection. As ${\displaystyle \theta }$ approaches zero, none of the energy is transferred. The maximum amount of energy is transferred when ${\displaystyle \theta }$ approaches 180 degrees.

${\displaystyle E_{T}=E-E^{\prime }}$^[1]

${\displaystyle E_{\text{Compton}}=E_{T}({\text{max}})=E\left(1-{\frac {1}{1+{\frac {2E}{m_{\text{e}}c^{2}}}}}\right)}$

It is impossible for the photon to transfer any more energy via this process; thus, there is a sharp cutoff at this energy, leading to the name Compton edge. If an isotope has multiple photopeaks, each inflection point will have its own Compton edge.^[1]

The region between zero energy transfer and the Compton edge is known as the Compton continuum.

References

See also

• Gamma spectroscopy
• Compton suppression