Week 1 was a lot of research, learning software, and being taught the basics of the physics involved, which I will get into. Dr. Gonthier lives in another state, so this is the only week we will meet in person (except maybe at the end of the research). 

To explain Compton Scattering, we will first think of two colliding masses, and how after an elastic collision, they will have final angles, and final velocities. A similar situation can happen when a photon collides with an at-rest electron. The variables change to photon energy and final electron energy. What makes this research unique is the fact that it takes place in an ultra-strong magnetic field surrounding a neutron star aptly known as a magnetar. This allows the collision to have an initial angle of photon colliosion, since the magnetic field applies a constant momentum along its field lines. Solving equations for these variables, initial angle especially is the goal.

I will be working with Wolfram Mathematica, and Wavemetrics’ Igor. 

To be honest, this first week was overwhelming. There is so much information, a lot of papers to read, and two brand new softwares, and so many seperate cases and coefficients. I don’t feel prepared for this. I am hopeful that things will start clicking into place, and I will be able to be more helpful down the road.