Study of sensitivity of X-ray spectral analysis with the use of accelerated 15 keV protons

Study of sensitivity X-ray spectral analysis (RSA) using accelerated protons (150 keV energy) and K-, L-, M series of characterisitc X-ray radiation (CRR) of elements heavier than copper has been performed. RSA sensitivity was estimated relative to a substrate of peure aluminium. An expression fotr the estimation of RSA sensitivity has been derived: fsub(min)=D(Nsub(min(Al)/Nsub(x)), where Nsub(min)(Al) - the least number of pulses, which can he recorded with used instruments, Nsub(x) - the number of re=- corded pulses from a target consisting of an element being determined D--(phosub(x)/prosuh(Al))esup(-μsub(j)Rsub( )+μsub(j(Al))Rsub(Al)), fsub(x)- a share of determined element in the target, phosub(x)-element density, μ-absorption mass porefficient i-CRR-[cm2/g], R-proton path. It is concluded that under conditions studied the elements from Z=20-32 using K lines and from Z=45-70 using L lines are determined with 10-3-10-4 g/g sensitivity. Elements with Z=79-83 at a level of 10-4 g/g can be determined using M lines, and with Z=33-40, 70-78 - at a level of 10-2-10-1 g/g