Excitation of low-lying nuclear states by synchrotron radiation

Cross sections of excitation of low-lying nuclear states by synchrotron radiation (SR) are calculated. Two excitation mechanisms are compared. The first is due to the direct interaction between the SR quantum and the nucleus. In the second case, the low-lying state is excited by the γ-quantum scattering on the electronic shell of the atom. It is shown that sometimes the contribution given by the latter mechanism is comparable with that from the direct interaction between the γ quantum and the nucleus. Polarization characteristics of excited nuclear states populated due to the SR quantum interaction with the electronic shell of the atom are analysed