The electron momentum distribution in solid potassium fluoride, studied by compton scattering

The Compton scattering of 59.54 keV γ‐radiation by potassium fluoride powder has been investigated with samples of three different thicknesses. Using an annular radiation source of 241Am in connection with an appropriate conical beam collimation, a scattering angle of as high as 177° could be achieved thus minimizing systematical errors. From published theoretical data on multiple scattering, an empirical function for the extrapolation to zero sample thickness has been derived and employed to come to the true Compton profile as close as possible. The result is compared with theoretical Compton profiles calculated from wavefunctions of the free atoms and ions K, F, K+, F−, K−, F+ (E. Clementi 1964, 1965) and of the ions K+ and F− in Watson spheres of opposite charge (E. Paschalis, Al. Weiss 1969). In the comparison the theoretical profile of K+ F− with overlap (T. Paakkari et al. 1974) is also included. The solid‐state effect on the electron momentum distribution is discussed.