140 GAMMA- AND X-RAY INTERACTIONS IN MATTER

ymys
8=ang1ephotoebctronsm~withdirectionof
FIGURE 7.11. Directional distribution of photoeleetronr per unit d i d angle, for energies as
labeled on the curves. The curve arcaa arc not normalized to each other. [After Davirron and
Evans (1952). Reproduced with permirrion of R. D. Ev8nr and the American Physical Society.]

MeV send out half of their photoelectrons within a forward cone of half angle zz 30°,
and the remainder at larger angles.
The interaction cross section per atom for photoelectric effect, integrated over all
angles of photoelectron emission, can be written as

(7.30)

where k is a constant,
n 4 at hv = 0.1 MeV, gradually rising to about 4.6 at 3 MeV, and
m p 3 at hv = 0.1 MeV, gradually decreasing to about 1 at 5 MeV.
In the energy region Iru P 0.1 MeV and below, where the photoelectric effect
becomes most important, it is convenient to remember that

(7.31)

and consequently that the photoelectric mass attenuation coefficient becomes [by
employing the conversion factors in Eqs. (7.17) and (7.18)]

P
(E) 3
(cm*/g) (7.32)

This approximate relationship may be compared with the curves in Fig. 7.13,

BipartMm Angh

FIGURE 7.12. Bipartition angle of photoclec-

c
troaa VI hv. One-half of all the photoelectrons arc
ejected within a forward cone of half angle equal
I to the bipartition angle. [After Daviaaon and Ev-
I 2 3 am (1952). Reproduced with pcrmirrion of R. D.
Photon Energy in MoV Evrnr and the American Phyaical Society.]