K-, L- and M-shell x-ray production cross sections by 1–1.3 MeV protons

In 2012, our institute had initiated a series of research activities aimed to measure the characteristic x-ray production cross-section, arising from interaction of accelerated particles with target atoms. This paper presents the data of x-ray production cross-sections under excitation of K-, L- and M-shells of target atoms in the range of mass from Mg to Bi by protons of the energies in the range of 1–1.3 MeV. We used the approach based on calculation of x-ray production cross sections through the cross-section of Rutherford backscattering, which can be calculated with high accuracy from the Rutherford formula. Such approach reduces the measurement errors of x-ray cross-sections and thus improves the accuracy of the obtained data. It is further planned to expand the area of research to protons of other energies and heavy charged particles in the energy range of 0.5–1.7 MeV/nucleon.