Proportional counters in x-ray spectro-chemical analysis

Abstract

Proportional counters have been used as spectrometers in experiments in nuclear physics for some time, but their general application to problems of X-ray analysis has been delayed partly for technical reasons and partly through lack of information. The present report reviews existing theories on the proportional counter in order to determine the fundamental limits of resolving power when used as a spectrometer for light elements such as magnesium. A survey of experimental results indicates that only a slight further improvement in performance is required to enable proportional counters to analyse adjacent elements such as magnesium and aluminium, thus allowing one to dispense with an analysing crystal.