DEMONSTRATION OF X-RAY DIFFRACTION BY LiF USING THE Mn Kα X RAYS RESULTING FROM 55Fe DECAY

Abstract

Mn K x rays from 55Fe were diffracted with detectable intensity by NaCl and LiF powder. A special diffractometer incorporating a 100-mc 55Fe linear source (1.5 mm × 10 mm) was used. Theoretical diffraction efficiency is about 10−5 (on the NaCl 200 plane). Diffractometer geometry provided 10−1 to 101 photons per min at the detector. This order of intensity was observed with a proportional counter, linear pulse amplifiers, and a multichannel analyzer. The three most intense beams of LiF (θ = 20° to 55°) were clearly demonstrated.