Development of micro-PIXE analysis at TIARA

By making use of PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission) method in which a sample is irradiated by ion beams of the spot size of about 1μm, trace elements in a micron-meter region of the sample can be analyzed. This method is called micro-PIXE, and is expected to be a powerful tool for biology and medicine. Tohoku university and Takasaki JAERI have developed basic techniques on micro-PIXE, for examples, imaging technique of elemental distribution and micro-PIXE analysis in air. On the basis of these fruits, a project of collaboration between Tohoku university and Takasaki JAERI starts April 1999. Basic techniques such as reduction of beam irradiation damage, enlargement of the solid angle of x-ray detection system and other techniques required for application of micro-PIXE will be developed through studies in apoptosis of tumor cells induced by irradiation and micro-analysis of noxious aerosol. (author)