EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION OF MULTIPLE-SCATTERING CALCULATIONS WITH HIGH-ENERGY X-RAY PHOTONS

Experimental data and results of numerical simulations of multiple sca ttering of polarized X-ray photons are presented and compared. The sim ulations were performed with a Monte Carlo code developed by the autho rs optimized to simulate Compton scattering experiments. The ultimate goal is to validate a procedure for correction of experimental Compton profiles. Measurements were done on Al samples with synchrotron radia tion and the contribution of photons suffering several scattering even ts was enhanced by minimizing or canceling out the single scattering p art. This was achieved by either taking advantage of the polarization properties of the beam or by making the difference of spectra with the same single scattering component. Samples of different sizes and thic kness were measured in transmission and reflection geometry. Good agre ement with simulations was observed in all cases and even detailed spe ctral structure of the multiple scattering component was properly repr oduced by the calculations. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.