Understanding the X-ray emission spectrum after excitation with a source of X-rays: From theory to experiment

Abstract

The modified Boltzmann-Chandrasekhar equation of transport for photons is the proper framework for describing the photon radiation field with a complete description of the polarization state. The characterization of the radiation field requires a detailed knowledge of the interactions of photons with mater and comprises also the contribution of the secondary electrons to the photon field through mechanisms like inner impact ionization and bremsstrahlung. It will be shown a solution obtained without the need of solving the coupled transport electrons-photons. With all these interactions, the theoretical characterization of the X-ray spectrum of emission after excitation with a source of X-rays can be straightforwardly obtained from the albedo solution to the equation. In this work it will be privileged a Monte Carlo (MC) solution. However, this solution is still far from an experimental measurement modified by the radiation detection devices, comprised the pulse electronics. In this work we put together a MC simulation able to get a detailed transport solution and a complete characterization of the contributions of the detection chain. It is discussed the influence of the single contributions and how they combine to make that a simulated X-ray spectrum matches well a real measurement.