Measurement ofK-shell photoelectric absorption parameters of Hf, Ta, Au, and Pb by an alternative method using a weakβ-particle source

Abstract

Both the $K$ absorption edge and the $K$-shell photoelectric cross section have been determined for Hf, Ta, Au, and Pb by using a continuous external bremsstrahlung (EB) radiation from a weak $\ensuremath{\beta}$ source. In this method the EB photons produced in a nickel foil by the $\ensuremath{\beta}$ particles from a weak $^{90}\mathrm{Sr}\text{\ensuremath{-}}^{90}\mathrm{Y}$ $\ensuremath{\beta}$ source are incident on a target and the spectrum of the transmitted photons is recorded with a high-purity Ge detector coupled to an 8000 multichannel analyzer. The transmitted spectrum exhibits a sharp fall in intensity at the $K$-shell binding energy; and such a fall is used to determine both the $K$-absorption edge and the photoelectric cross section of the target.