Exact Calculation ofK-Shell andL-Shell Photoeffect

An exact calculation of the atomic photoelectric effect is made. The expressions for the differential and total cross sections are developed explicitly for the $K$ and $L$ shells, for a pure Coulomb potential. The final electron is described by a partial-wave decomposition, and the interaction with the radiation field is treated in lowest order perturbation theory. The cross sections are evaluated numerically, and the contribution of the $L$ shell is found to be non-negligible when compared with the $K$ shell. The results for the $K$ shell are compared with previous work, and agreement is obtained. The new results for the $L$ subshells are presented and compared with the available experimental work.