 Thomson cross-section

A free nonrelativistic charge driven by a weak plane electromagnetic wave has peak acceleration $|q|E_0/m$. Its time-averaged Larmor formula power is $q^4{E}_0^2/(12\pi {ϵ}_0{m}^2{c}^3)$. Divide by incident light intensity ${ϵ}_{0}c{E}_0^2/2$ to obtain the displayed cross section, independent of frequency. For an electron, it is $8\pi r_e^2/3$. The approximation assumes negligible Compton recoil kinematics and small driven velocity compared with the speed of light.