GREENS MATRIX FOR COMPTON REFLECTION OF POLARIZED RADIATION FROM COLDMATTER

The Compton-reflected spectrum from cold matter for incident X-rays an d gamma-rays with arbitrary angular, spectral and polarization propert ies can be determined by a simple folding of Green's matrix with the i ncident spectrum. We calculate Green's matrix by numerically solving t he polarized radiative transfer equation for an optically thick planar slab of neutral matter using a method based on discrete space theory. We account for both angular and polarization properties of the fully relativistic Compton scattering cross-section as well as photoelectric absorption and the generation of a fluorescent Fe line. We describe t hrough simple models the basic characteristics of polarized spectra pr oduced by Rayleigh and Compton scattering. The emphasis is on exact co mputations of Compton-reflected spectra. For the first time, the Fe li ne equivalent width can be calculated self-consistently for an arbitra ry angular distribution of the incident spectrum using Green's matrix formalism.