Design of a radioisotopic secondary target source for x-ray fluorescence spectrometers with semiconductor detectors

A secondary target excitation source was developed for Si(Li)-detector-equipped XRF analyzers applying ring-shaped 241Am isotope primary source. The spectrum obtained with this source is comparable in quality to that of a 209Cd source making it suitable to trace element analysis. With medium atomic number pure elements applied as targets and a 37 GBq (1 Ci) activity 241Am isotope as primary source, an equivalent activity of 370 MBq (10 mCi) could be obtained. (R.P.) 15 refs.; 2 figs.; 2 tabs