The Absorption of X-Rays of Wave-Length1.5≤λ≤8.3A

Abstract

The mass absorption coefficients for Be (4), C (6), Al (13), Cu (29), Ag (47) and Au (79) have been determined in the wave-length region $1.5\le \lambda \le 8.3$ A. Only characteristic line radiation obtained with a vacuum spectrometer was used. Because of the presence of about 1 percent of heavier impurities in the Be (4), the apparent absorption coefficients for Be (4) may be as much as 100 percent higher than for the pure element. This large effect of a small amount of impurity on the apparent absorption coefficient of Be (4) leads to a suggested method of microanalysis for heavy impurities in elements of low atomic number. Following Jönsson's procedure, a universal absorption curve is plotted.