Measurement of K-shell photoelectric absorption parameters of Hf, Ta, Au, and Pb by an alternative method using a weak beta-particle source (5 pages)

Both the K absorption edge and the K-shell photoelectric cross section have been determined for Hf, Ta, Au, and Pb by using a continuous external bremsstrahlung (EB) radiation from a weak {beta} source. In this method the EB photons produced in a nickel foil by the {beta} particles from a weak {sup 90}Sr-{sup 90}Y {beta} source are incident on a target and the spectrum of the transmitted photons is recorded with a high-purity Ge detector coupled to an 8000 multichannel analyzer. The transmitted spectrum exhibits a sharp fall in intensity at the K-shell binding energy; and such a fall is used to determine both the K-absorption edge and the photoelectric cross section of the target.