X-Ray emission and Bragg Scattering (K-Alpha and K-beta absorption)

In summary, when performing Bragg scattering of x-rays off of NaCl, the energy of the first order K-Alpha peak is greater than the energy of the second order K-Alpha peak. This is due to the fact that the intensity of the first order K-Alpha is greater than that of the K-Beta intensity, meaning that the energy required to produce K-Beta is greater. At higher energies, however, the intensity will be smaller than the first order intensities. To calculate the energy difference between the first and second order K-Alpha peaks, you can use the equation Emax = eV = hfmax=\frac{hc}{ \lambdamin }, where Emax is the maximum photon energy and \lambda
  • #1
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Homework Statement


Complete this sentence. When doing Bragg scattering of x-rays off of NaCl, the first order K-Alpha peak has an energy that is ___________ the energy of the second order K-Alpha peak.

Known Information
It is known that the Intensity of the K-Alpha is greater than the K-Beta intensity in the first order. This means that the energy required to produce K-Beta is greater.

At higher energies (greater than 30Kev) the Intensity will be smaller than the first order Intensities.

Homework Equations



[tex]\lambda[/tex] = 2 d sin [tex]\theta[/tex]Emax = eV = hfmax=[tex]\frac{hc}{ \lambdamin }[/tex]

Please excuse the crude format error in the equation above (im a noob to the forum)

Where Emax is the maximum photon energy, [tex]\lambda[/tex] min is the minimum wavelength that is determined by the accelerating voltage V of the tube

The Attempt at a Solution



I attempted to combine the equations above to come up with an explanation to the problem above however all it yields is lattice spacing and the angle of incidence. What am I missing?

Google searches have been helpful in the understanding of how x-rays are made but little information is give to K-alpha and K-beta other than their definition and how they occur but nothing as to the first and second order energy difference between them.

What is the percentage or fraction that describes this difference between the first order and second order K-alpha peaks?

Which equations are necessary to find this besides the ones listed above?
 
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  • #2
You are talking about intensity whereas the statement of the problem is talking about energy. I think the problem is asking you to compare energies.
 

Related to X-Ray emission and Bragg Scattering (K-Alpha and K-beta absorption)

1. What is X-ray emission and how does it occur?

X-ray emission is the process in which high-energy photons are produced by the acceleration of electrons. This occurs when an electron transitions from a higher energy level to a lower energy level, releasing energy in the form of an X-ray photon.

2. What is Bragg scattering and how is it related to X-ray emission?

Bragg scattering is a phenomenon in which X-ray photons are scattered off a crystal lattice at specific angles, resulting in a diffraction pattern. This is related to X-ray emission because the scattered photons can be used to determine the crystal structure and composition, which can provide information about the X-ray emission process.

3. What is the difference between K-alpha and K-beta absorption in X-ray emission?

K-alpha and K-beta absorption are two types of X-ray absorption edges that occur when an X-ray photon is absorbed and an electron is ejected from the innermost electron shell of an atom. The K-alpha absorption edge corresponds to the transition from a higher energy level to the K-shell, while the K-beta absorption edge corresponds to the transition from a higher energy level to the L-shell.

4. How is X-ray emission and Bragg scattering used in scientific research?

X-ray emission and Bragg scattering are commonly used in materials science and crystallography research to determine the structure and composition of materials. They are also used in medical imaging, such as X-ray diffraction analysis of bones, and in analytical chemistry to identify the elements present in a sample.

5. What are some potential hazards of X-ray emission and Bragg scattering?

X-ray emission and Bragg scattering can be hazardous due to their ability to ionize atoms and damage biological tissue. Proper safety precautions, such as wearing protective gear and limiting exposure time, should always be taken when working with X-rays. Additionally, X-ray equipment should be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure safe operation.

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