X-ray attenuation coefficients of Fe compounds in the K-edge region at different energies and the validity of the mixture rule

The total mass attenuation coefficients for element Fe and compounds FeF3, Fe2O3, FeCl2·4H2O, FeCl32NH4Cl·H2O were measured at different energies between 4.508-17.443 keV range by using secondary excitation method. Ti, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo were chosen as secondary exciter. 59.5 keV gamma rays emitted from an 241Am annular source were used to excite secondary exciter and Kα(K-L3, L2) lines emitted of secondary exciter were counted by a Si(Li) detector with a resolution of 160 eV at 5.9 keV. It was observed that mixture rule method is not a suitable method for determination of the mass attenuation coefficients of compounds, especially at energy that is near the absorption edge. Obtained values were compared with theoretical values.