Photon‐Atom Elastic Scattering

This review describes the status of elastic scattering of X‐rays and γ‐rays (up to about 1 MeV) from atoms and molecules, free or bonded in solids. At the energies considered Rayleigh scattering from the atomic electrons entirely dominates the process. We first present the basic matrix elements at low and high energies and the results obtained in their calculation. Then we review the scattering experiments carried out in this energy range.