Polarization studies on Rayleigh scattering of hard x rays by closed-shell atoms

We present a theoretical study on the elastic Rayleigh scattering of x-ray photons by closed-shell atoms. Special attention is paid to the transfer of linear polarization from the incident to the outgoing photons. To study this process, we apply the density-matrix formalism combined with the relativistic perturbation theory. This formalism enables us to find general relations between the Stokes parameters of the incident and scattered photons. By using these expressions, we revisit the recent proposal to use Rayleigh scattering for the analysis of the polarization purity of synchrotron radiation. We show that this analysis can be performed without any need for the theoretically calculated scattering amplitudes, if the linear polarization of the scattered light is measured simultaneously at the azimuthal angles 0 degrees and 45 degrees with respect to the plane of the synchrotron. To illustrate our approach, we present detailed calculations for scattering of 145 keV photons by lead atoms.

Automated summary

In this theoretical study, the elastic Rayleigh scattering of x-ray photons by closed-shell atoms is investigated, focusing on the transfer of linear polarization from incident to outgoing photons. By using the density-matrix formalism combined with relativistic perturbation theory, general relations between the Stokes parameters of incident and scattered photons are derived. It is shown that analyzing the polarization purity of synchrotron radiation using Rayleigh scattering can be done without the need for theoretically calculated scattering amplitudes, by measuring linear polarization of scattered light at azimuthal angles of 0 degrees and 45 degrees.