Experimental evaluation of multiple Compton backscattering of gamma rays in copper

The gamma ray photons continue to soften in energy as the number of scatterings increases in thick target, and results in the generation of singly and multiply scattered events. The number of these multiply scattered events increases with an increase in target thickness and saturates beyond a particular target thickness known as saturation depth. The present experiment is undertaken to study the saturation depth for 279 and 320 keV incident gamma ray photons multiply backscattered from copper targets of varying thickness. The backscattered photons are detected by a Nal(Tl) gamma detector whose pulse-height distribution is converted into a photon spectrum with the help of an inverse matrix approach. To extract the contribution of multiply backscattered photons only, the spectrum of singly scattered photon is reconstructed analytically. We observe that the numbers of multiply scattered events increases with an increase in target thickness and then saturate. The saturation depth is found to be decreasing with increase in incident gamma energy.     

Components of detector response function: Monte Carlo simulations and experiment

Components of the response function of an HPGe detector for 32 keV incident photons (Ba Kα x‐rays) were studied using a Monte Carlo program. Physical mechanisms and the role of incident photons, detector x‐rays, photoelectrons and Compton recoil and Auger electrons for each component were investigated. The position, intensity and shape of the components, particularly of the photoelectrons, were studied in detail. Two distinct components for photoelectron escape were identified by considering the fate of photoelectrons, Ge x‐rays and Auger electrons produced in the same interaction. In contrast to the often‐cited shelflike structure, it was found that both components have a slope. The contribution of recoil electrons to the spectrum for single, double and multiple Compton scattering followed by photoelectric absorption of the scattered photon was investigated. The results of the Monte Carlo simulations are presented along with the measured Ba x‐ray spectrum. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectrum of two quasiequal-energy electrons ejected by a high-energy photon

We present numerical results for the photoelectron spectrum in double ionization by keV photons in the quasiequal-energy sharing region. In this region of the spectrum, the relevant ionizing mechanism is due to a mutual sharing of the photon momentum by both electrons, with small momentum transferred to the atomic nucleus. Calculations were performed for photon energies of 25 and 50 keV, where retardation effects are fundamental, while final-state correlations are of minor importance. The spectra present a two-peak structure, with maxima located at the photoelectron energies , with the photon energy in atomic units. We discuss the general features of the spectrum in terms of the picture of the photoionization of two free electrons, and we propose a way of detecting the contribution by experiments. Received 24 January 2000     

Laser polarization effects on K-shell Compton scattering

We study Compton scattering on the ground state of the hydrogen atom in the presence of an intense low-frequency electric field (the laser) of arbitrary polarization, for incident and scattered photons of energies around 15 keV. The adopted formalism is the nonrelativistic one developed by Voitkiv et al. [J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 36, 1907 (2003)] and applied by them for a circularly polarized laser. We explore the spectrum and the electron energy distribution in their dependence on the incident photon energy or electric field intensity, for different polarizations.     

Nonresonance Compton scattering of an X-ray photon by an atom with the core of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis> symmetry

Using the Zn atom as an example, beyond the scopes of the impulse approximation and the incoherent scattering-function approximation, we study the absolute value and the shape of the double differential nonresonance Compton scattering cross section of an X-ray photon by an atom with the core of the d symmetry. We take into account the effects of radial relaxation of shells in the field of core vacancies and of elastic (Thomson and Rayleigh) scattering. Calculation results have a predictive character and, for the incident photon energies of 14.93 and 22.10 keV and the scattering angles of 141° and 133°, agree well with experimentally determined values of the differential Compton scattering cross section.     

Energy loss straggling measurements for helium ions in Mylar and polypropylene polymeric foils

In the present contribution, we report results on energy straggling of He ions penetrating Mylar and polypropylene thin polymeric foils. The measurements were performed in the 900–3000 keV incident particle energy range by using the indirect transmission technique developed previously. The experimental straggling data are corrected to consider the roughness effects due to target thickness inhomogeneity. As expected, the roughness contribution to straggling is more important for helium than for proton ions and decreases as the ion energy increases. At low velocities, (<500 keV/amu), the variation of the experimental energy straggling results differs strongly from predictions based on Bohr’s formalism, and with increasing energies, the experimental results approach gradually the Bohr values.     

Experimental calculations of number,energy and dose albedos for various materials using 662 keV gamma rays

ABSTRACT

Number, energy and dose albedos are measured at a scattering angle of 180° for a broad beam of 662 keV gamma rays obtained from a radioactive source of ¹³⁷Cs (having strength in µCi; 1 Ci?=?3.7?×?10¹⁰ disintegrations per second). The gamma beam is incident on semi-infinite thick targets of variable atomic numbers. The scattering media is divided into three sets, which are pure elements, alloys and composite materials. Experiments are carried out using a 3^″?×?3^″ NaI(Tl) scintillation detector. To obtain precision in data, the response unfolding of a scintillation detector is used, which converts the observed pulse-height distribution to a true photon spectrum over the energy range of 2.5 to 640 keV. The detector response unfolding results in the true intensity of back-scattered gamma flux by shifting the events resulting from partial absorption of photons to the full energy peak of the spectrum. In the present study, albedo factors are studied as a function of target thickness and their atomic number. The experimentally calculated numbers of back-scattered gamma photon are in good agreement with theoretically generated numbers of multiple back-scattered counts by using a Monte Carlo simulation code. The experimental data on energy and intensity of 662 keV gamma photons are used to evaluate the number, energy and dose albedos for different materials under investigation.     

Mechanisms for the reflection of light atoms from crystal surfaces at kilovolt energies

The computer program MARLOWE was used to investigate the backscattering of protons from the (110) surface of a nickel crystal. Grazing incidence was considered so that anisotropic effects originated mainly from the surface region. The contribution of aligned scattering was studied by comparing the results with similar calculations for an amorphous target. Energy distributions of backscattered particles were investigated for incident energies ranging from 0.1 to 5keV. The structure of these distributions was explained by making calculations for several target thickness. Specular reflection was found to depend on the structure of the first few atomic planes only. The (110) rows in the surface plane were responsible for focusing into surface semichannels. Focusing in these semichannels was found to be the strongest under total reflection conditions (below about 1.3 KeV) while the scattering intensity from surface rows increased with increasing incident energy. The orientation of the plane of incidence was found to have large influence on the relative contributions of the reflection mechanisms involved. Operated by Union Carbide Corporation for the Department of Energy.     

Layout and first XRF applications of the BAMline at BESSY II

The first hard x‐ray beamline at BESSY II has been installed by BAM and PTB at a superconducting 7 T wavelength shifter. The main optical elements of the beamline are a double‐multilayer monochromator and a double‐crystal monochromator. Depending on the application, the two devices are used separately or in‐line. The main applications of the monochromatic radiation with photon energies up to 60 keV are x‐ray fluorescence analysis, micro computed tomography, x‐ray topography, detector calibration and reflectometry. Calculable undispersed radiation up to 200 keV is available for radiometric applications. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Energy and intensity distributions of 279 keV multiply scattered photons in bronze — an inverse response matrix approach

An inverse response matrix converts the observed pulse-height distribution of a NaI(Tl) scintillation detector to a true photon spectrum. This also results in extraction of intensity and energy distributions of multiply scattered events originating from interactions of 279 keV photons with thick targets of bronze. The observed pulse-height distributions are a composite of singly and multiply scattered events in addition to bremmstrahlung originating from slowing down of Compton and photo-electrons in thick targets. To evaluate the contribution of multiply scattered events, the spectrum of singly scattered events contributing to inelastic Compton peak is reconstructed analytically. The optimum thickness (saturation depth), at which the number of multiply scattered events saturate, has been evaluated in different energy bin meshes chosen for scintillation detector response unfolding. Monte Carlo calculations based upon the package developed by Bauer and Pattison (Compton scattering experiments at the HMI (1981), HMI-B 364, pp. 1–106) supports the present experimental results.      

The bremsstrahlung induced by 0.3–2 keV electron scattering by Ar atoms

The differential spectra of a bremsstrahlung resulting from a 0.3–2 keV electron scattering by Ar atoms are studied. Photon energies within the ultrasoft X-ray band from 124 to 190.8 eV, which is characterized by the low dynamic polarizability of the Ar atom, are considered. For the entire spectrum of photon energies (124–190.8 eV), the intensity of the bremsstrahlung differential spectra first grows with an increase in the electron energy from 0.3 to 0.7 keV and then decreases as the electron energy increases from 0.7 to 2 keV. The increase in intensity is directly proportional, and the decrease is inversely proportional to the square root of the energy of the scattered electrons. Within the context of a "low-energy" approximation, the increase in the number of photons with the electron energy is due to the contribution of the atomic excitation and ionization channels being available during the bremsstrahlung process.     

The role of Compton scattering in the low‐Z elements X‐ray fluorescence formation

The paper reviews the ionization of elements with low atomic numbers (boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and fluorine) by incoherent scattering of primary radiation and under the influence of Compton electrons. It is shown that at high energy of primary photons, the total contribution of these processes to X‐ray fluorescence formation becomes significant; at the energy of 80 keV, it becomes dominant. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coherent photo- and lepto-production of vector mesons from deuterium

We discuss the coherent photo- and lepto-production of vector mesons from deuterium at intermediate (virtual) photon energies, 3 GeV ≲ ν ≲ 30 GeV. These processes provide several options to explore the space-time evolution of small size quark-gluon configurations. Furthermore, we study the dependence of the production cross section on the energy and momentum transfer t due to variations of the finite longitudinal interaction length. Kinematic regions are determined where the production cross section is most sensitive to the final state interaction of the initially produced hadronic wave packet. For unpolarized deuteron targets this double scattering contribution can be investigated mainly at large values of the momentum transfer t. For polarized targets kinematic windows sensitive to double scattering are available also at moderate t. We suggest several methods for an investigation of color coherence effects at intermediate energies.     

A combined experimental and theoretical approach to determine X‐ray atomic fundamental quantities of tin

The knowledge of atomic fundamental parameters, such as the mass attenuation coefficients or fluorescence yields with low uncertainties, is of decisive importance in elemental quantification involving X‐ray fluorescence analysis techniques. For example, several databases giving the mass attenuation coefficients are accessible and frequently used within a large community of users. These compilations are most often in good agreement for photon energies in the hard X‐ray ranges. However, they significantly differ for low photon energies and around the absorption edges of the elements. In the case of the fluorescence yields, some authors made a review of measured values found in the literature. However, reliable measurements are not so many illustrating the inherent difficulties. Mass attenuation coefficients of tin were determined experimentally in the photon energy range from 100 eV to 35 keV by using monochromatized synchrotron radiation at SOLEIL (France). The fluorescence yields of the 3 L‐subshells of tin were also determined using a reflection geometry setup and the X‐ray fluorescence setup of Physikalisch‐Technische Bundesanstalt. The Coster–Kronig factors for the tin L‐shells were also experimentally determined. The application of high‐accuracy experimental techniques resulted in low uncertainty mass attenuation coefficients and L‐subshell fluorescence yields that are directly compared with existing databases and with updated relativistic configuration mixing Dirac–Fock calculations including Quantum electrodynamics (QED) corrections.     

Improved Rayleigh to Compton scattering ratio curves for mass attenuation coefficients determination for X‐ray fluorescence analysis

Nondestructive assays are essentials for certain types of sample materials, and, among those, the X‐ray fluorescence technique enables the determinations of stable elements, and there is an increasing effort on the development of equipment to suit the various needs. Nevertheless, a great difficulty on the analysis of unknown materials' composition is to account for self‐absorption of the fluorescence photons that must be considered in the elemental concentration calculation. The correlation between the Rayleigh to Compton scattering ratio to the mass attenuation coefficient has proved to follow a single polynomial function for the first 20 elements of the periodical table with a correlation factor higher than of 0.998 for the sixth order function. The Rayleigh to Compton scattering ratios for pure elements and the 22.16 keV photons, the main energy from an X‐ray tube with silver anode, were determined with the MCNP6 Monte Carlo computer code. Two scattering angles were considered. Reference samples were measured, and the calculated results were compared to the literature values of the mass attenuation coefficient for some known samples and showed to be within 20% for de 90° scattering angle. Only Lucite was slightly above 20%. Curve fit coefficients are also presented for the 7.11‐ and 17.40‐keV photon energies.     

Physical characteristics of X-ray scattering in fat and blood

A Monte Carlo simulation program is constructed in order to trace the histories of photon interactions inside fat and blood under tissue-characterization conditions (energies from 7 to 60 keV and samples from 0.5 to 20 cm). The effect of incident photon energy on the number of coherent and incoherent interactions up to the 3rd order scattering is studied for three different sample sizes. The ratio of scattering to total interactions (including photoelectric absorption) is also studied for fat and blood under the same scattering conditions. Results show considerable differences in the scattering properties of fat and blood over a wide range of energies. This may explain the experimental differences reported by Evans et al. and Kosanetzky et al. The percentage of photons making three incoherent interactions recorded a maximum of 10% which implies the need to correct for multiple scattering in incoherent scattering measurements intended for tissue characterization.     

Optimization of L‐shell X‐ray fluorescence detection of lead in bone phantoms using synchrotron radiation

Closely related toxicity and retention mechanisms of lead (Pb) in the human body involve the bone tissues where Pb can accumulate and reside on a time scale ranging from years to tens of years. In vivo measurements of bone Pb can, therefore, play an important role in a comprehensive health risk assessment of Pb exposure. In vivo L‐shell X‐ray fluorescence (LXRF) measurement of bone Pb was first demonstrated over 4 decades ago. Implementation of the method, however, encountered challenges associated with low sensitivity and calibration procedure. In this study, the LXRF measurement was optimized by varying the incident photon energy and the excitation‐detection geometry. The Canadian Light Source synchrotron radiation was used to compare 2 different excitation‐detection geometries of 90^° and 135^° using 3 different X‐ray photon energies: 15.8, 16.6, and 17.5 keV. These energies optimized excitation of the L₃ subshell of Pb and simulated the most intense K‐shell emissions of zirconium, niobium, and molybdenum, respectively. Five rectangular plaster‐of‐Paris bone phantoms with Pb concentrations of 0, 7, 17, 26, and 34 μg/g, and one rectangular 3.1‐mm‐thick resin phantom mimicked the X‐ray attenuation properties of human bone and soft tissue, respectively. Optimal LXRF detection was obtained by the 15.8‐keV energy and the 90^° and 135^° geometries for the bare bone and the bone and soft tissue phantoms, respectively.     

Resonance inelastic scattering of a photon by the neon atom in the region of the K and KL 23 ionization thresholds

The influence of multiparticle effects on the shape and absolute values of the double differential cross section of the resonance inelastic scattering of a linearly polarized x-ray photon by the neon atom in the energy region of the K and KL ₂₃ ionization thresholds is studied theoretically. The radial relaxation of electronic shells, the spin-orbit and multiplet splittings, the configuration interaction in the states of double excitation of the atom, and the Auger and radiative decays of vacancies formed are taken into account. The calculation results are predictive in character and agree well with experiment for an incident photon energy equal to 5.41 keV.     

Increase in the superconducting transition temperature in Zr-Hf alloys due to <Emphasis Type="Italic">s-d</Emphasis> electron transfer under pressure

Correlation between the roughness of neighboring interfaces (roughness cross correlation) in a Ni/C X-ray multilayer mirror (XMM) prepared by laser ablation was studied by measuring X-ray diffuse scattering (XDS). The XDS intensities in the vicinity of the first Bragg reflection were measured at different photon energies: slightly below (8.325 keV) and slightly above (8.350 keV) the nickel photoabsorption K edge. The effective screening of the contribution from the deep layers to the XDS cross section due to the strong damping of the wave field at a photon energy higher than the photoabsorption edge allowed information on the character of the in-depth roughness cross correlation in the sample to be obtained. In particular, the characteristic lateral correlation length of the roughness was 0.35 µm at a photon energy of 8.325 keV (the contribution to the XDS cross section of the entire XMM volume), and it increased to 0.4 µm at a photon energy of 8.350 keV (predominantly the contribution from the upper layers). These data give direct evidence for the mechanism of smoothing of the interfacial roughness in the process of Ni/C XMM growth on anomalously large (up to micron) spatial scales. It was found that only rough large-scale defects with sizes of ≥10 µm are reproduced reasonably well from layer to layer. The processes of viscous flow and (or) reevaporation of high-energy target ions during deposition, which is characteristic of the laser method of XMM preparation, may serve as a possible explanation of the observed phenomenon.     

Discrepancies in atomic shell and fluorescent X‐ray energies in the Evaluated Photon Data Library EPDL97

There are significant differences between the atomic orbital energies listed in the evaluated photon data library EPDL97 and values published elsewhere. In particular, comparisons with the values adopted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) show discrepancies up to several hundred electron volts. Although the uncertainties in the EPDL97 atomic orbital energies were recognised by the original authors, the library has subsequently been widely adopted as a primary source of photon transport and atomic relaxation data. We compare experimentally measured X‐ray fluorescence spectra with fits using the EPDL97 and NIST line energies. Our results strongly favour the NIST energies for K‐shell and L‐shell fluorescent X‐rays and show that the EPDL97 atomic orbital energy values should not be used for applications, such as X‐ray fluorescence, where atomic relaxation phenomena are important. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.