Accuracy of PIXE analyses using a funny filter

Abstract

Light and heavy trace elements can be analysed simultaneously by particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) using an Al-funny filter (a filter with a hole drilled at its centre, placed in front of the detector window). The treatment of spectra, performed using the GUPIX code, requires the determination of an instrumental constant H. In theory and when using ordinary filters, H is a constant corresponding to the detection solid angle. In contrast, we have observed that H varies with X-ray energy using a funny filter. This is due to an inaccurate description of the geometry of the detection: detector-to-target distance, filter thicknesses and hole diameter of the funny filter. We develop a methodology to determine the effective values of the four geometrical parameters from a calibration of H using standards. In turn, H recalculated using these effective values is a constant equivalent to the effective detection solid angle.