EXPERIMENTAL CROSS-SECTIONS FOR BREMSSTRAHLUNG PRODUCTION BY THE IMPACT OF MEV PROTONS ON LOW-Z TARGETS

The production of continuously distributed X-rays by the impact of protons of 1.9-3.0 MeV for X-ray energies between 4 and 6.5 keV, and 1.9-2.65 MeV for X-ray energies between 1.7 and 4 keV has been investigated. Five different target types have been irradiated: polyethylene, polystyrene, carbon. KaptonTM and MylarTM. The results are presented as absolute cross sections for continuous X-ray production at the proton energy 2.55 MeV, and the proton energy dependence is presented in terms of linear and exponential functions in different regimes related to electron binding energy. The effect of electron escape was investigated. The data were modelled using the concept of effective electron escape depth. © 1990.