An experimental study on cross-section ratio of coherent to incoherent scattering for 145 keV incident gamma photons

The coherent (Rayleigh) to incoherent (Compton) scattering cross-section ratio of elements, in the range 6 ≤ Z ≤ 82, are determined experimentally for 145 keV incident gamma photons. An HPGe (High purity germanium) semiconductor detector is employed, at scattering angle of 50°, 70° and 90°, to record the spectra originating from interactions of incident gamma photons with the target under investigation. The intensity ratio of Rayleigh to Compton scattered peaks observed in the recorded spectra, and corrected for photo-peak efficiency of gamma detector and absorption of photons in the target and air, along with the other required parameters provides the differential cross-section ratio. The measured values of cross-section ratio are found to agree with theoretical predictions (corresponding to 4.939, 6.704 and 8.264 Å−1 photon momentum transfer) based upon non-relativistic form factor, relativistic form factor, modified form factor and S-matrix theory. -- Highlights: • Measurements of Rayleigh to Compton cross-section ratio for 145 keV photons. • Prior to this, no data are available at this energy for any scattering angles. • Intensity ratio of Rayleigh to Compton peaks provides the cross-section ratio. • Measured values of cross-section ratio agree with various theoretical predictions. • Source activity, solid angles subtended by source and detector at target are not required