Photoelectric cross-sections derived from measured total attenuation coefficient of photons near absorption edges of heavier atoms

A complete analysis of the estimated photoelectric cross-sections from the measured total photon attenuation coefficients of several atoms (41 ≤ Z ≤ 92) at two photon energies, 43 and 59.5 keV, has been presented. These energies fall close to K-absorption edges of some of the elements studied. In this paper, we examine the role of using coherent scattering cross-sections derived from various sources such as the state-of-the-art precise theoretical calculations, commonly used form factor approximations and form factors with anomalous corrections in estimating the photoelectric cross-section. Comparison of theorectical and other available experimental results are also made with our measured and estimated values. It has been found that an overall change of 5% in the total mass attenuation is expected while using the precise coherent scattering cross-sections.