Production of monoenergetic unpolarised K X-ray photons using an X-ray tube: An analysis of the derived intensity ratios and homogeneity of the filters

Monoenergetic unpolarised K alpha-radiation is produced by filtering the K beta radiation emitted by the secondary target in transmission and reflection modes. In the transmission mode photons with low energy and photons with energy larger than that of the discontinuity are absorbed considerably by the filter. Only photons with energy approximately in the energy interval [(E(k)-5 keV)--(E(k))] are able to cross the filter giving rise to a peak of about 2 keV full width at half maximum. In the reflection mode the secondary target is placed at an angle of 45 degrees. The variation of the K alpha(2)/K alpha(1) intensity ratio at various concentrations and the homogeneity of the filters have been studied.