Compton Wavelength

The electron's quantum length scale h/mₑc, governing the wavelength shift of scattered photons.

Core Principles & Analysis

• Equals h/mₑc = 2.43 picometres, the shift scale Compton measured in X-ray scattering in 1923.
• Compton scattering's wavelength shift proved that photons carry momentum like particles.
• Confining an electron below λ_C costs enough energy to create electron-positron pairs — the threshold where quantum field theory becomes unavoidable.

Specifications & Metrics

• SYMBOL: λ_C
• STATUS: Measured (CODATA 2022)
• VALUE: 2.42631023538 × 10⁻¹² ± 7.6 × 10⁻²² m

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