PIXE Detection Limits for some Aerosol Collection Substrates by Excitation with protons and 4He2+ Ions from a 3 MV Tandem Accelerator
Comparisons of PIXE detection limits for K, X rays using 2-5 MeV protons and 7-8 MeV 4He2+ ions as projectiles have been performed. The comparisons have been made for common aerosol backings. According to simple theoretical considerations regarding X-ray production cross sections and the production of background radiation, detection limits for 4He2+ should be two to four times lower than for proto