Gamma-ray self-absorption corrections for E_γ>0.6 MeV and μ<3 cm^-1

The Monte Carlo method was used to calculate the self-absorption correction for a large number of cylindrical source-cylindrical detector configurations in the energy range E_γ greater than 0.6 MeV and for values of the total attenuation coefficient (μ) up to 3 cm^-1. The corrections are thus applicable to all possible materials and compounds and are presented in a functional form which allows easy calculation and interpolation. The error introduced by using the self-absorption correction multiplied by a non-absorbing source-detector efficiency is discussed and shown to be usually negligible. The problem of forward-scattered Compton γ-rays from the source contributing to the photopeak efficiency in NaI(Tl) detectors is shown to be increasingly significant for E_γ<0.6 MeV.