A Comparison of K-, L-, and M-X-Rays Produced by Proton and Electron Excitation

Characteristic x-rays excited by protons and electrons having energies of 150 keV and less, were compared. Thick targets of Ti, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Zn were used to obtain K x-ray data; Zr, Mo, Ag, Cd, and In were used for L x-ray data; and Au, Pb, and U for M x-ray data. The number of K x-rays produced by electrons exceeds that of x-rays produced by protons from elements with Z>22 by more than 105 for particle energies up to 150 keV. For elements Z = 40 to 49 and Z = 79 to 92 the L and M (x-rays/electron) to (x-ray/ proton) ratio respectively is in excess of 103 for particle energies up to 150 keV.