Compton scattering of 320-keV γ rays byK-shell electrons of holmium and gold

Abstract

Compton scattering of 320-keV y rays through 45' and 115' by K-shell electrons of gold and holmium has been studied by the well-known coincidence technique. Double-differential cross sections with respect to outgoing photon energy and angle have been determined from 30 keV up to the kinematic limits. Target-Z-dependent false coincidences arising from bremsstrahlung emitted by photoelectrons were estimated both by theoretical analysis and by measurements carried out with gold targets of thicknesses differing by more than a factor of 4. The analysis of the bremsstrahlung process included the often neglected effects of the angular distribution of photoelectrons and of multiple scattering of electrons during the slowing-down process within the target. The bremsstrahlung generated false coincidences obscure the possible observation of the predicted infrared divergence in the low outgoing photon energy regime and lead to a significant contribution even in the quasiCompton regime. The single-differential cross sections obtained after a correction for bremsstrahlung are in reasonable agreement with theoretical calculations.

Compton profile study of gold: Theory and experiment

“…Compton scattering of K-shell electrons by 320 keV gamma-rays has been reported by Lad et al [9] using coincidence technique. Chang et al [10] have measured the experimental Compton profile of polycrystalline Au using their…”