A PIXE study of abnormal X-rays from binary fluorides with protons in the range 0.4–2 MeV

Abstract

Previously reported abnormally high X-ray yields from the fluorides of some transition metals were confirmed. Using proton beams and beams of the molecule-ion 1H2+, at equivalent proton energies between 400 and 2000 keV the conditions for the production of abnormally high X-ray yields were studied for the effect of ion beam energy, beam current, charge, target thickness and atomic number of the target metal. The effect was probably due to buildup of potential and discharge with the production of a flux of energetic electrons, with an energy distribution peaking above 10 keV.