Rayleigh and Compton scattering cross sections for low, medium and high Z elements in the energy region 23.18 ≤ E ≤ 30.85 keV

Using nearly monoenergetic unpolarised Kα x-ray photons coherent (Rayleigh) and incoherent (atomic Compton) scattering cross sections in the atomic region 13 ≤ Z ≤ 82 have been measured at 23.18, 24.14, 25.19, 26.27 and 30.85 keV. Experimental scattering cross sections in the momentum transfer region 1.322 h Å−1 ≤ q ≤ 1.759 h Å−1 [q = sin (θ/2)λ(Å)] were obtained at an angle of 90°. Experimental coherent scattering cross sections are in good agreement with second order S-matrix calculations, compared to theoretical estimates based on form factor approximations. Experimental incoherent scattering cross sections are higher than the theoretical estimates calculated using non-relativistic incoherent scattering functions for low and medium Z elements and lower for heavy elements. The latter is due to the binding effects at low photon energies.