<p> The combined capabilities of alpha-particle emitting isotopic excitation sources and modern semiconductor detectors are investigated with a view to extending the light-element range of radioisotope-based X-ray emission analysis.</p> <p> The construction and performance of a windowless low-energy X-ray spectrometer designed around a lithium-drifted
silicon detector and a 210Po source are discussed. It is shown that under the conditions used low-energy X-ray emission and detection are greatly favoured.</p> <p> Measurements of relative cross-sections for the production of X-rays by ~5.2 MeV alpha-particles in elements
from oxygen to iron are reported. The results for elements of Z>16 are in good agreement with those predicted from the scaling of equal velocity proton values but show large positive
deviations for elements of Z<16.</p> <p> Investigative applications of the spectrometer to
quantitative analyses of blast-furnace slags, iron ores and silicate rocks for oxygen, silicon, sulpher, calcium and iron are described.</p> <p> The future prospects of radioisotopic alpha-particle X-ray excitation methods are surveyed.</p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/20058 |
| Date | 09 1900 |
| Creators | Robertson, Robert |
| Contributors | Fritze, K., Chemistry |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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