The Pixe Analytical Technique - Principle And Applications

We will first recall the principles of the particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique and compare it to the electron microprobe. Then we will describe the experimental set-up needed for PIXE measurements, emphasizing the construction problems for a PIXE microprobe. The data treatment procedure will be discussed: unfolding of X-ray spectra, determination of absolute concentration, ... Finally, we will present examples of application, in particular in mineralogy and environmental science, as performed in out laboratory.