Preferred Label : characteristic X-ray emission;
IUPAC acronym : PIXE;
IUPAC definition : X-ray emission originates from the radiative decay of electronically highly excited
states of matter. Excitation by electrons is called primary excitation and by photons,
secondary or fluorescence excitation. Particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) is produced
by the excitation of heavier particles such as protons, deuterons or heavy atoms in
varying degrees of ionization. Emission of photons in the X-ray wavelength region
also occurs from ionized gases or plasmas at high temperatures, from nuclear processes
(low-energy end of the gamma-ray spectrum) and from radiative transitions between
muonic states. Characteristic X-ray emission consists of a series of X-ray spectral
lines with discrete frequencies, characteristic of the emitting atom. Other features
are emission bands from transitions to valence levels. In a spectrum obtained with
electron or photon excitation the most intense lines are called diagram lines or normal
X-ray lines. They are dipole allowed transitions between normal X-ray diagram levels.;
Origin ID : C00985;
See also
X-ray emission originates from the radiative decay of electronically highly excited
states of matter. Excitation by electrons is called primary excitation and by photons,
secondary or fluorescence excitation. Particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) is produced
by the excitation of heavier particles such as protons, deuterons or heavy atoms in
varying degrees of ionization. Emission of photons in the X-ray wavelength region
also occurs from ionized gases or plasmas at high temperatures, from nuclear processes
(low-energy end of the gamma-ray spectrum) and from radiative transitions between
muonic states. Characteristic X-ray emission consists of a series of X-ray spectral
lines with discrete frequencies, characteristic of the emitting atom. Other features
are emission bands from transitions to valence levels. In a spectrum obtained with
electron or photon excitation the most intense lines are called diagram lines or normal
X-ray lines. They are dipole allowed transitions between normal X-ray diagram levels.