Abstract
Total probabilities, angular distributions, and energy profiles of multiply scattered radiation are calculated using Monte Carlo techniques. It is found that use of either the Klein-Nishina or the polarization-dependent Thomson cross section can result in significant departures from the angular distributions and energy profiles obtained with the polarization-averaged Thomson cross section. The radius of the incident photon beam appears to have a substantial influence on multiple scattering probabilities and angular distributions for finite cylindrical samples. Criteria are established for estimating under what experimental conditions a sample may be considered effectively "infinite," so that earlier analytic results become applicable. Triple and higher-order scattering are found to be generally insignificant for finite cylinders.