K-shell ionisation cross sections for W, Au and U by low-velocity protons

Abstract

Proton-induced K-shell ionisation cross sections for W, Au and U by low-velocity protons were obtained from thick-target measurements. For the first time the lowest incident energy reached a value less than ten times the binding energy of the K-shell electron (less than nine times in the case of Au). Possible sources of error are thoroughly examined and a comparison with other available experimental results and theoretical values is presented and discussed.