An Interpretation of Dirac's Theory of the Electron

Abstract

by rays polarized by scattering from carbon. The ratio 0.964 observed in case b is thus to be ascribed to the lack of geometric symmetry in the 11 and-positions. The corrected value of the intensities in the two positions is thus .L a 0.968-= 0 96 = 1.004 b-0.964-104 with a probable error, estimated from the variations of the readings, of 0.005. This means that the characteristic fluorescent x-rays from silver are completely unpolarized, within a probable error of 0.5 per cent. It follows that any polarization in the line spectrum of the primary x-rays must be due to the portion of the rays resulting from the direct action of the cathode rays. 1 C. G. Barkla and C.