HIGH-ENERGY PIXE: THE X-RAY SPECTRUM OF URANIUM IN AUTUNITE

Autunite, a U-bearing mineral ( Ca(UO) 2( PO 4)2.10–12 H 2 O ), has been examined using a high-energy proton beam ( E p =40 MeV ) and Si(Li) and intrinsic Ge solid state detectors. The spectra obtained from the sample show clearly resolved U K α1, K α2 and K β X-ray lines (using the Ge detector) and Ca K α, K β X-rays, Sr K α, K β and U L X-rays (using the Si(Li) detector), this demonstrates the potential analytical range and flexibility of high energy PIXE analysis.