A semi-empirical model for the X-ray Si(Li) detector response function

Abstract

The entire response function model for a Si(Li) detector over the range from about 4 to 20 keV has been developed. The values of the model parameters obtained by the least-squares fitting of the pulse-height spectra from a number of pure element samples excited by a 109Cd X-ray source are fitted to simple functional forms of the incident X-ray energy to produce the generalized response function for this Si(Li) detector. An interactive computer program has been devised and implemented on a VAX 11/750 minicomputer for determining the parameter values from a pulse-height spectrum of the X rays from a pure element sample. An unexplained additional feature between the K α and K β X-ray peaks is observed, which necessitates using different sets of parameter values to describe some of the features that are associated with the K α and K β X-ray peaks.