Absolute photoabsorption cross-sections of Ne and Xe in the sub-keV X-ray region

Total photoabsorption cross-sections of Ne in the energy region of 50-1300 eV and of Xe in 85-1100 eV have been measured in an absolute scale using a multi-electrode ion chamber combined with monochromatized synchrotron radiation. In order to improve the spectral purity of monochromatized synchrotron radiation, an electron storage ring was operated at an electron beam energy lower than the normal mode, and a thin foil was inserted into the photon beam. The photoabsorption cross-sections obtained for Ne are close to the data previously reported in most photon energies. However, for Xe, there are some discrepancies between the present results and the literature data at some photon energies, in particular near 300, 700, and 950 W (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.