Course Information

• Syllabus
• Overview of Experiments (PDF)

Experiments

• Scope Exercise

First Four

• Hydrogen-deuterium mass difference
• X-ray fluorescence
• The Franck-Hertz experiment
• The Zeeman effect in mercury

Path 1

• Rubidium optical pumping
• Pulsed NMR

Path 2

• The Hanle effect
• The Lamb shift in hydrogen

Physics 432 Home

X-ray fluorescence & Moseley's Law

Students measure the x-ray emission lines of multi-electron atoms using a high resolution solid state detector. They learn how the simple physics of the hydrogen atom is generalized to describe the major features of x-ray spectra for Z > 1. Students record the spectra from several samples of unknown composition, thus seeing first-hand how x-ray fluorescence can be used to determine the elemental composition of such samples. They are introduced to the physics of solid state detectors, thus acquiring insight into the remarkable resolving power of these devices.

Experiment Information

• Experiment Instructions
• XR-100CR efficiency curves
• X-ray K and L emission line chart (from Amptek)
• X-ray K and L absorption and emission line chart (from Tennelec)
• XR-100CR/PX2CR operating manual (optional -- not needed for experiment)