In this paper the results of the first study on the Compton profile of
polycrystalline rhenium are reported. The measurements have been made
using 59.54 keV gamma-rays. To interpret the data, the renormalized-f
ree-atom (RFA) model has been employed taking several 5d-6s configurat
ions. Best agreement between theory and experiment is found for 5d(6)6
s(1) valence electron configuration. The data show surprisingly good a
greement with the relativistic APW Compton profile of the isoelectroni
c metal technetium. This confirms similes electronic structures for rh
enium and technetium metals.