THE NUCLEAR ABSORPTION OF X-RAYS BY OXYGEN

Abstract

The total X-ray attenuation ratio in water was measured as a function of energy in the region 15–25 Mev, with a view to studying the nuclear absorption process in oxygen. The known energy response characteristics of several "activity detectors" (Zn64(γ, n)Zn63, C12(γ, n)C11, S32(γ, d)P30, O16(γ, n)O15) to bremsstrahlung were employed in these measurements.The experimental values of the attenuation ratios were compared to the predicted values calculated on the basis of various assumptions concerning the nuclear absorption process.The best description of the nuclear absorption process in oxygen appears to be continuous absorption on which relatively small absorption peaks are superimposed.