Photon cross sections and effective atomic numbers in some alloys

Abstract

The total photon cross sections in five nickle-based alloys, viz., Superimphy, Inconel, Nimonic-90, Invar, and stainless steel, are measured at photon energies of 32.1, 52.0, 72.1, 84.3, 145.4, 279.2, 320.0, and 661.6 keV in a good geometric setup using two NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors for low- and medium-energy photons. Experimental total photon cross sections are compared with the theoretical values of Storm and Israel and good agreement is found. Using the subtraction method, we obtain photoelectric and scattering cross sections at appropriate photon energies and compare them with the available theoretical values. The total and partial effective atomic numbers are obtained and presented.