Doppler Broadening and its Contribution to Compton Energy-Absorption Cross Sections: An Analysis of the Compton Component in Terms of Mass-Energy Absorption Coefficient

Compton energy absorption cross sections are calculated using the formulas based on a relativistic impulse approximation to assess the contribution of Doppler broadening and to examine the Compton profile literature and explore what, if any, effect our knowledge of this line broadening has on the Compton component in terms of mass–energy absorption coefficient. Compton energy-absorption cross sections are evaluated for all elements, $\text{Z=1–100,}$ and for photon energies 1 keV–100 MeV. Using these cross sections, the Compton component of the mass–energy absorption coefficient is derived in the energy region from 1 keV to 1 MeV for all the elements $\text{Z=1–100.}$ The electron momentum prior to the scattering event should cause a Doppler broadening of the Compton line. The momentum resolution function is evaluated in terms of incident and scattered photon energy and scattering angle. The overall momentum resolution of each contribution is estimated for x-ray and γ-ray energies of experimental interest in the angular region 1°–180°. Also estimated is the Compton broadening using nonrelativistic formula in the angular region 1°–180°, for 17.44, 22.1, 58.83, and 60 keV photons for a few elements (H, C, N, O, P, S, K, and Ca) of biological importance.