iBAT: A new ion beam batch analysis tool for thin samples

Abstract We present a new analysis tool and user interface for batch analysis of PIXE, PIGE, RBS and PESA spectra of thin samples. IBA analysis techniques are ideally suited for aerosol filter analysis, because of their high sensitivity and because the layer of aerosol material deposited on the filters is very thin. The analysis tool provides an easy interface for the MS-DOS executable of the GUPIX package, combined with newly developed software for Proton Induced Gamma Emission (PIGE), Rutherford Back Scattering (RBS) and Proton Elastic Scattering Analysis (PESA). For PIGE and PESA background subtraction techniques are applied to extract the gamma and hydrogen recoil peaks and calculate concentrations using suitable calibrations standards. For RBS a similar technique is applied to extract estimates for C, N and O. The results of this new analysis tool will be compared with results obtained from the PIXAN package used previously. The data will also be checked for internal consistencies within aerosol data sets using source apportionment techniques.