Linear Polarization of Low-Energy-Electron Bremsstrahlung

The linear polarization of bremsstrahlung from thin targets (∼ 50 ${\mathrm{\mu }\mathrm{g}/\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^2$) of Al, Cu, Ag, and Au was measured for incident electron energies of 50, 75, and 100 keV. The polarization was measured as a function of photon energy at four emission angles ($\theta ={22.5}^{\circ },{45}^{\circ },{90}^{\circ }, \mathrm{and} {135}^{\circ }$). Data presented were obtained with a Compton polarimeter having a large asymmetry ratio (from 35 to 150) and high resolution. The results have been found to be in general agreement with the predictions of various bremsstrahlung calculations.