PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission)

PIXE spectrum example with a X-ray Ketek detector

Several CMAM beamlines are equipped with at least a PIXE detector. In particular the External and Internal Microbeam are using PIXE as main technique. The beam is frequently 2-3 MeV protons. At these two beamlines samples can be analyzed with lateral resolutions at the 100 um level (external) and few micron level (internal). In the latter case the beamline provides 2D compositional maps via an integrated data acquisition system.

An example of PIXE spectrum is shown below, with several regions of interest marked, representing different elements present in the sample.

Click to read a short description about PIXE technique