Since, λkα corresponds to the transition of an electron from L-shell to λ-shell, therefore EL−EK = (in eV) =
12375
λ(in
0
A
)
=
12375
0.21
~ 58928 eV or ΔE = 59 keV key concepts Production of Characteristic X rays Learn this Concept Characteristic X-rays are produced when an element is bombarded with high-energy electrons. When a high energy electron (the incident electron) strikes a bound electron (the target electron) in an atom, the target electron is ejected from the inner shell of the atom. In some c이 lisions an electron coming with high velocity penetrate through the outer shells of the electrons and strike against an electron in the inner shell, and knockout an electron from the inner shell of the atom. The incident and the dislodged electrons both escape from the atom causing a vacancy in the innermost K shell. An electron from the outer shell (say L shell) in higher energy state jump to the K shell to fill the vacancy. This gives rise to an X-ray photon of energy hf. This causes a vacancy in the L shell, which is again filled up by another electron jumping from one of the outer shells along with the emission of another X-ray photon of different energy.. This process continues till the outer-most shell is reached, thus resulting in the emission of a series of characteristic X- ray photons. This gives rise to sharp lines or peaks superimposed on the continuous line