Dependence of spectral shape of bremsstrahlung spectra on atomic number of target materials in the photon energy range of 5–30 keV

Dependence of spectral shape of total bremsstrahlung spectra i.e. the sum of ordinary bremsstrahlung (OB) and polarization bremsstrahlung (PB), on the atomic number (Z) of target materials (Al, Ti, Sn and Pb), produced by continuous beta particles of 90Sr and 204Tl, has been investigated in the photon energy region of 5–30 keV. It has been found that the spectral shape of total bremsstrahlung spectra, in terms of S (k, Z) i.e. the number of photons of energy k per moc2 per beta disintegration, is not linearly dependent on the atomic number (Z) of the target material and rather it is proportional to Zn. At lower photon energies, the index values ‘n’ of Z-dependence are much higher than unity, which is due to the larger contribution of PB into OB. The decrease in ‘n’ values with increase of photon energy is due to the decrease in contribution of PB into OB. It is clear that the index ‘n’ values obtained from the modified Elwert factor (relativistic) Bethe–Heitler theory, which include the contribution PB into OB, are in agreement with the experimentally measured results using X-PIPS Si(Li) detector. Hence the contribution of PB into the formation of a spectral shape of total bremsstrahlung spectra plays a vital role.

► The dependence of spectral shape of bremsstrahlung spectra as a function of atomic number of target is described.
► Total bremsstrahlung spectral measurements are reported in the photon energy region of 5–30 keV.
► It is found that the spectral shape of total bremsstrahlung is dependent on atomic number of target.
► It is explained that the contribution of PB into ordinary bremsstrahlung affects the spectral shape.