Experimental measurements of X-ray production cross-sections by protons of energies between 1 and 2.3 MeV and comparison with theoretical predictions of PWBA and ECPSSR models

Considering the importance of the X-ray production cross-sections for the determination of element concentrations in a given material, we have measured them experimentally for the elements Al, Cu and In using proton beams of energy between 1 and 2.3 MeV. The X-ray production cross-sections obtained are compared with the previous experimental cross-sections reported by H. Paul, J. Sachert [Atomic Data and Nuclear Data Tables 42 (1989) 105] and our calculations by PWBA [E. Merzbacher, H. Lewis, Encyclopedia of Physics (1958) 166] (plane wave born approximation) and ECPSSR [W. Brandt, G. Lapicki, J. Phys. B 9 (1976) 1203] (based on PWBA model incorporating corrective effects). Our experimental results are in good agreement with the published experimental results of H. Paul, J. Sachert [Atomic Data and Nuclear Data Tables 42 (1989) 105] and even with a small error for Al target. Our results agree also well with theoretical predictions of PWBA and ECPSSR models. But at low energies PWBA calculations overestimate the cross-section values. The introduction of corrective effects in the ECPSSR model has removed this disagreement. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.