Incoherent scattering of 59.54 keV gamma rays by selected elements in the atomic region 29≤Z≤74

Incoherent scattering cross-sections for 11 moderate to high atomic number elements have been experimentally determined using 59.54 keV gamma rays emitted by the radionuclide 241Am. Measurements were performed using a standard back-scattering geometry set up to obtain scattering angles of 145 deg., 154 deg. and 165 deg. Resulting photon momentum transfers were in the range 4.58≤x≤4.76 A-1. High purity (better than 99.9%) foils of Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Ta and W were used as targets. Results of measurements, good to within a conservative experimental uncertainty of 10%, reveal no systematic trend in departure from agreement with tabulated theoretical incoherent-scattering cross-sections based upon non-relativistic wave functions