Experimental thick-target bremsstrahlung spectra from collisions of 7.0-keV electrons with Ag and Au

Abstract

The x-ray spectra produced from 7.0-keV electrons in bombardment of thick targets of silver and gold have been measured using a Si(Li) detector at 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to the incident electron-beam direction. The spectra were corrected for electron backscattering, energy loss, photon attenuation in the target, and for inherent filtration, allowing a determination of absolute intensity for x-ray emission. The experimental spectra have been compared with two models, (i) a modified Kramers formula, and (ii) a semiempirical expression. There is an overall agreement between the experiment and the predictions of the models both for the shape and for the absolute magnitude of the thick-target bremsstrahlung intensity to within 21%. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.