Automation of a flat crystal X-ray spectrometer for measuring proton induced X-rays

An automatic control and registration system for a flat crystal spectrometer is described which permits quantitative measurements of proton induced X-ray spectra in three modes of operation: PRESET CHARGE, PRESET TIME, and PRESET COUNTS. Therefore three types of X-ray spectra can be obtained: spectra with a certain amount of collected charge for each interval, spectra with a constant measuring period for each interval and spectra with a constant number of counts for each interval. In the latter mode one measures the necessary number of protons to obtain a certain number of counts and therefore obtains a spectrum with a constant statistical error. The spectra can be measured in any Bragg angle step >= 10-3 degrees. Moreover, the possibility is given to choose between two different angle steps that are activated in dependence of the number of counts per interval. The spectra are recorded by a Teletype terminal and a y-t recorder. (Auth.)