A numerical program has been developed for the calculation of atomic photoelectric differential and total cross sections, including all polarization correlations. The program is designed to calculate relativistic Coulomb wave functions in a screened central potential; the outgoing continuum wave function is obtained in a partial-wave series. Results are presented here for $K$-shell differential and total cross sections in point Coulomb potentials (i.e., unscreened) ranging from charge $Z=13\mathrm{}$ to $Z=92\mathrm{}$, and covering the range of incident photon energies from 200 keV to 2 MeV. Enough data are presented to permit interpolation throughout these ranges. The total cross sections above 1 MeV are found to be significantly lower than previously accepted values. Further, the angular distributions from heavy elements deviate greatly from the commonly used Sauter distribution. These features are discussed and compared with existing experimental and theoretical work.

• Received 13 September 1963

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.134.A898