X-Ray Production by Protons of 2.5-12-MeV Energy

Abstract

Characteristic $K$-shell x -rays produced by proton bombardment of Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Mo, Ag, and Cd targets have been observed for incident energies between 2.5 and 12 MeV. Absolute cross sections for $K$-shell ionization have been determined and compared to the predictions of the plane-wave Born approximation (PWBA) and binary-encounter approximation (BEA) theories. The (BEA) theory is found to give better agreement at lower bombarding energies and higher $Z$, while the PWBA fits the data better at lower $Z$ and higher bombarding energies. $L\alpha$, $L\beta$, and $L\gamma$ cross sections for Pb are also presented as a function of energy between 2.5 and 12 MeV.