Question

How do we obtain characteristic x-ray spectra?

Answer 1

Characteristic x-ray spectra:

1. X-ray spectra snow some narrow peaks at some, well-defined wavelengths when the target is hit by fast electrons. The line spectrum showing these peaks is called the characteristic x-ray spectrum.

2. When an energetic electron removes electrons from K-shell electrons than the electrons from the outer orbit jump to fill the vacancy.

3. Energy difference between the levels is given out as x-ray photons of definite wavelength.

      Origin of characteristic x-ray spectra

K-Series (K_α and K_β): This line is due to electronic transitions from L, M, and N shells to K-level.

L-Series (L_α and L_β): It arises due to electronic transitions from M, N, and O shells.