Polarization of X-Rays from the Interior of a Spherical Shell

Abstract

The polarization of x-rays that scatter on the interior of a spherical shell is an efficient means of reducing the background in x-ray fluorescence spectra. Integral expressions for the intensity and degree of polarization of radiation reaching the sample were derived without approximations and evaluated by numerical means. A Monte Carlo code was also developed that in a first step was used to calculate the intensity and degree of polarization of the radiation reaching the sample. Complete agreement was found between simulations and calculations, which is taken as a validation of the computer code. In a second step, the Monte Carlo simulation was used to treat more realistic situations such as a thick spherical shell with source and sample displaced axially from their initial positions.