The energy dependence of Delbrück scattering investigated at Z = 73, 82 and 92

Using neutron capture γ-rays from a ¹⁴⁰CeO₂ source installed in the Grenoble high-flux reactor, differential cross sections for the elastic scattering of photons by Ta, Pb and U through θ = 120° have been measured for E = 4.291 and 4.767 MeV. These data have been supplemented by measuring elastic differential cross sections for U, θ = 120° and energies ranging from 0.279 to 1.332 MeV, using radioactive sources. The experimental differential cross sections below 1 MeV confirm the predicted Rayleigh amplitudes based on the second-order S-matrix within 3%. An excellent agreement between experiment and lowest-order Delbrück theory is observed between 1.0 and 1.4 MeV, showing that Coulomb corrections are small close to the threshold for pair production. At 4.291 and 4.767 MeV experiment and lowest-order Delbrück theory agree within ~12%