Continuous X-Ray Spectrum from a Thin Target

Abstract

IN order to investigate the true energy distribution in the continuous X-ray spectrum, the target to be used must be sufficiently thin to ensure that the cathode rays passing through it produce only a single excitation. For ordinary voltages, metal foils 10⁴–10⁵ cm. thick can be used for this purpose. The intensity of X-rays obtained under these conditions is very low, a fact which prevented Kulen-kampff¹ measuring the energy distribution with a crystal spectrometer.