MEASUREMENT OF THE CROSS SECTIONS FOR THE YIELD OF CHARACTERISTIC X-RAY RADIATION FROM 1-MeV PROTONS

Abstract

This article presents the results obtained by measuring the characteristic x-ray production cross sections arising from the interaction of accelerated protons with the target atoms (PIXE). The PIXE production data were measured at the excitation of the K-, L-, and M-shells of target atoms in the mass range from Mg to Bi by 1 MeV protons. We use the approach based on the calculation of the PIXE production cross sections through the Rutherford backscattering cross section, which can be calculated from the Rutherford formula with high accuracy. This approach makes it possible to reduce the errors in measuring of the PIXE production cross sections and, thus, to improve the accuracy of the data obtained. Further, it is planned to expand the research area including protons of other energies and heavy charged particles in the energy range of 0.5–1.7 MeV/nucleon.