CORRECTION OF SCATTERED-ELECTRON SPECTRA FOR RADIATIVE EFFECTS

The distortions caused by the effects of nuclear and thick-target bremsstrahlung on the spectrum of scattered electrons obscure the actual elastic and inelastic cross sections. A method whereby the spectrum can be systematically corrected for these effects is presented. The method uses previous theoretical calculations of the radiative probabilities and employs an iterative technique for step by step correction of the spectrum. Uncertainties due to statistical errors in the measurement propagate through such a calculation. A formulation in which the uncertainties can be explicitly calculated is presented. Corrections to the calculations due to effects such as the change in cross section with change in electron energy are discussed. Special problems associated with the applications of digital computers to this technique are described. © 1969.