Development of Regional Pixe Facility at Panjab University Cyclotron, Chandigarh (India)

Abstract

A description of modifications in the variable energy cyclotron (VEC) Chandigarh along with the installation of Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) setup is presented. A new main magnet power supply of 400A/125V out put with ±10 ppm stability and a new stabilized solid state power supply for RF oscillator has improved the beam characteristics substantially. A new chamber has been designed to cater for Proton Induced Gamma Emission (PIGE) and Rutherford Back Scattering (RBS) along with PIXE measurements. The HPGe x-ray detector, the Ge(Li) γ-ray detector and a silicon surface barrier (SSB) detector can be mounted simultaneously in the chamber for this purpose. A Turbo-Molecular vacuum pump is provided to produce a clean vacuum of the order of 10-8 mbar in the PIXE chamber. A remotely controlled stepper motor is provided to move the wheel having 12/24-position target holder. Beam size optimization along with the minimization of background has been done with the help of graphite collimators, thus making the setup suitable for practical applications. Preliminary experiments for the PIXE analysis of aerosol, gunshot residues and kidney stone samples are presented.

Elemental Analysis of Glass and Bakelite Electrodes Using PIXE Facility

“…Identification of constituent elements of analyzed sample is done on the basis of wavelength of emitted characteristic X-rays and concentration is predicted from intensities of characteristic X-rays. These characteristic X-rays are detected by high purity germanium (HPGe) X-ray detector-GUL0035 [9].…”

“…For long life time of experiment, it is necessary to do elaborate study to characterize electrode materials. In reported study, elemental analysis of glass and bakelite samples is done using PIXE facility available at Cyclotron laboratory [9], Chandigarh. Elemental analysis gives an insight in to the elemental composition of glass and bakelite electrodes; glass and bakelite electrode samples procured from local and international market are found to be having similar elemental composition.…”

Fabrication and characterization of carbon-backed thin 208Pb targets

“…To perform elemental analysis of 208 Pb target, Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) measurements [14] have been carried out at the Cyclotron Laboratory of Panjab University, Chandigarh. A 208 Pb target was positioned perpendicularly to the beam axis and irradiated with 2.7 MeV proton beam.…”

Elemental Analysis of Ground Water Using Pixe and Pige Techniques

“…Proton beam was produced from Single Dee Cyclotron situated at Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. 13 The beam size at the target position was 2 mm in diameter. The target was positioned at 90 • w.r.t.…”