Principles and applications of high-energy ion microbeams

The book concerns the techniques of high-energy ion beam microanalysis, and reviews the principles and applications of the technique. The contents include a historical review of the subject, and a description of the physical principles behind the analytical techniques in common use, namely particle-induced X-ray emission, Rutherford back-scattering and nuclear reaction analysis. The principles underlying the production of a focused beam of high-speed heavy particles are described, along with the practical problems of building a microprobe. Previous and potential applications of ion microbeams in biology, medicine, earth sciences, metallurgy and industry, solid state physics and electronics, and archaeology are also discussed. (UK)