PIXE induced XRF analysis of trace amounts of iron in pure copper matrix

Abstract The iron atoms in a pure copper matrix are selectively excited by the characteristic X-ray radiation of Cu and Zn primary targets bombarded by 2.8 MeV protons. The sensitivities obtained in different experimental conditions are compared to each other and the combination of the Cu primary target with a 5 μm Co absorber in front of the Si(Li) detector was found to be the best choice.