The Compton profiles of tantalum

The isotropic Compton profiles of tantalum were measured by a 59.54 keV gamma -ray Compton profile spectrometer. Comparisons with the renormalized free-atom model and band structure calculations have been made. The valence electron configuration is found close to 5d⁴6s¹, and the band structure calculations give a sharper Compton profile. The Compton profiles of V, Nb and Ta normalized to their respective Fermi momentum have also been compared and discussed. The d electrons are seen to play a more significant role than the orthogonality effect, as observed in the IVA group elements.