Beam charge integration in external beam PIXE–PIGE analysis utilizing proton backscattering with an extraction window

In this study, we present a new method for the indirect integration of beam charges in external beam proton-induced X-ray emission and proton-induced γ-ray emission (PIXE–PIGE) analysis. We recorded proton spectra backscattered by a Kapton film extraction window in different sample situations and under different beam currents. We also simulated backscattering spectra using the simulation of backscattering spectra program (SIMNRA). We determined that in a specific geometrical arrangement, different sample situations did not significantly affect factor C Q (the ratio between integral backscattering proton counts and integral beam charges). We also studied the reproducibility and beam current dependence of factor C Q. The statistic factor of C Q was 28.95 ± 0.6 kilo counts/μC, with a relative standard deviation of 2.0 %. Significantly, in external beam PIXE–PIGE analysis, we were able to calculate beam charge integration from the integral backscattering proton counts in an energy region.