Studies in X-Ray Production by Proton Bombardment of C, Mg, Al, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, and Ho

Abstract

Thick-target yields, x-ray production, and ionization cross sections are presented for nine elements bombarded with protons of 15- to 1900-keV energy. The measurements are made by observing the x-ray emission (proportional-counter detection) when protons are stopped in thick samples of the target material. The x rays are produced in $K$, $L$, and $M$ shells: $\mathrm{C}\mathrm{}\left(K\right)\mathrm{}$, $\mathrm{Mg}\mathrm{}\left(K\right)\mathrm{}$, and $\mathrm{Al}\mathrm{}\left(K\right)\mathrm{}$ in the intervals 15-110 keV and 500-1900 keV; $\mathrm{Nd}\mathrm{}\left(L\right)\mathrm{}$, $\mathrm{Sm}\mathrm{}\left(L\right)\mathrm{}$, $\mathrm{Gd}\mathrm{}\left(L\right)\mathrm{}$, $\mathrm{Tb}\mathrm{}\left(L\right)\mathrm{}$, $\mathrm{Dy}\mathrm{}\left(L\right)\mathrm{}$, and $\mathrm{Ho}\mathrm{}\left(L\right)\mathrm{}$ in the interval 500-1700 keV; $\mathrm{Nd}\mathrm{}\left(M\right)\mathrm{}$, $\mathrm{Sm}\mathrm{}\left(M\right)\mathrm{}$, $\mathrm{Gd}\mathrm{}\left(M\right)\mathrm{}$, $\mathrm{Tb}\mathrm{}\left(M\right)\mathrm{}$, $\mathrm{Dy}\mathrm{}\left(M\right)\mathrm{}$, and $\mathrm{Ho}\mathrm{}\left(M\right)\mathrm{}$ in the intervals 25-100 keV and 500-1700 keV. Where available, previous results are included to complete the presentation for these elements. A study of carbon-contamination buildup is included as an appendix.