The total M shell relative photoionization
cross-sections for Au, Pb, Th and U have been measured in the energy region
6–12 keV. External conversion K X-rays of suitable elements has been employed
as incident photons to photo ionize the total M shell of elements under
investigation. The method provides relative cross-sections therefore does
not make use of theoretically calculated average M shell fluorescence yields
which involve uncertainties of the order of 20%. No evidence of deviation
from calculated values of cross-sections have been observed within
experimental errors for all incident photon energies