Experimental measurements of K X-ray production cross-sections and yields for the elements with 58 $\leqslant$ Z $\leqslant$ 64 at 123.6 keV photon energy

Abstract

Considering the importance of the K X-ray production cross-sections $(\sigma_{K_{i}}^{\rm x})$ as well as the K shell fluorescence yields (ωK) for the determination of element concentrations in a given material, we have measured them experimentally for the elements Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd using photons at 123.6 keV from a 57Co radioisotope source. Furthermore, the K X-rays intensity ratios (Kβ/Kα) for these elements have been investigated. The characteristic K X-rays emitted by the target were detected by a high-resolution with an energy resolution of 160 eV full with at half-maximum (FWHM) at 5.96 keV. The experimental results of K X-ray production cross-sections were compared with theoretically predicted values based on relativistic Hartree-Slater and Hartree-Fock theories. Similarly, the measured K shell fluorescence yields/cross-sections and the K X-rays intensity ratios were compared with the theoretical values. In most cases, there is an agreement between the experimental and theoretical data within the experimental uncertainties.