New Predictions for Rayleigh Scattering: 10 keV-10 MeV

Abstract

New theoretical predictions for the contribution to elastic photon scattering from atoms due to the bound atomic electrons are compared with recent experiments and previous theory. At 1.33 MeV, we resolve the large-angle disagreement for experiments on lead. For 2.75-MeV photons scattered by lead, we confirm the theoretical Rayleigh scattering amplitudes of Cornille and Chapdelaine. At 6.84 MeV, we estimate that the form-factor approximation yielded predictions for the $L$-shell Rayleigh amplitudes which were too large by 15%. For experiments below 100 keV, the form-factor approximation is poor.