I. Borbély-Kiss

PIXYKLM computer package for PIXE analyses

Abstract Our previous program package PIXASE has been improved in order to have a more simple and more reliable evaluation procedure for PIXE spectra. Changes were made to the applied mathematical methods and the program has been extended to handle M lines, too. Effects of improvement are discussed together with some experimental result.

Experimental and theoretical calibration of a PIXE setup for K and L X-rays

Abstract K and L line calibration has been performed for a PIXE setup by the independent use of experimental and theoretical methods. In the former case, thin film standards of known thicknesses were applied, while in the latter one cross section values were derived from different theoretical models. Programs REV5S and PIXEKL developed here were used for spectrum evaluation and concentration determination, respectively. They proved to be reliable and especially appropriate for routine serial evaluation of spectra measured on samples of nearly identical matrices. As a result of the work, an accurate calibration of the setup has been obtained and it was shown that experimental and theoretical techniques used lead to calibration curves which fit each other reasonably well.

Enrichment of desert soil elements in Takla Makan dust aerosol

During a Hungarian expedition in 1994 to arid regions of north-western China, atmospheric aerosol samples were collected in the Takla Makan Desert and on some sites in mountains surrounding the Tarim Basin. PIXE data obtained for the composition and enrichment factors of the regional aerosol clearly reflected that a heavy accumulation of salts has been formed in the closed inland basin. When compared to the regional soil composition data published by other authors, it turned out that S and Cl, showing high enrichment relative to average crust composition, are of soil origin.

An evaluation of elemental concentrations in atmospheric aerosols over hungary: Regional signatures and long-range transport modelling

Abstract Elemental concentrations for minor and trace elements were measured systematically by PIXE method over long periods in rural sites of Hungary. The data obtained were used to deduce vanadium- and selenium-related concentration ratios as elemental signatures in tracing long-range transport of air masses. The observed variations of the ratios in different measuring periods and a comparison with published data indicate the limitation of this method of tracing. With a source-oriented approach, estimates have been deduced for elemental concentrations and for the contribution to the concentrations by the emissions in Hungary and in neighbouring countries by the aid of a long-range transport model applied to an annual average air trajectory.

Elemental concentrations and regional signatures in atmospheric aerosols over Hungary

Samples of atmospheric particles collected during one year at rural sites were analysed up to 20 elements by PIXE. The average concentrations, enrichment factors and size distribution curves are presented and discussed. Concentration ratios for selected trace elements sometimes used as tracers in following long distance transport of air masses were deduced and compared with the data of Rahn. Conclusions were drawn from these regional signatures on the contribution of eastern European area to the aerosols detected in the artic atmosphere.

Composition, size distribution and lung deposition distribution of aerosols collected in the atmosphere of a speleotherapeutic cave situated below Budapest, Hungary

Abstract Elemental composition and mass size distribution of cave aerosols were determined by PIXE on seven-stage cascade impactor samples collected in two different sites of the Szemlőhegy-cave, a speleotherapeutic cave situated below Budapest, Hungary. In addition, individual particle analysis was also performed on about 450 aerosol particles. Significant differences were found between the two sampling sites and also in comparison with the external air in both the size distribution and in the composition of the aerosol. On the basis of the obtained data a stochastic lung deposition model was used to calculate total and regional deposition efficiencies of the different types of particles along the human respiratory system. One can conclude that the extrathoracic deposition is quite significant and its role increasing with increasing respiratory minute volume. The regional thoracic deposition is not very sensitive to the size distribution and it has a maximum around the 15–20th airway generations.

Determination of elemental constituents in high voltage insulator borosilicate glasses under proton bombardment

It is demonstrated that combined PIXE and PIGE measurements are suitable for the accurate determination of the elemental concentration of glass samples. Borosilicate glasses used as high voltage insulators in Van de Graaff accelerators and tested for the relevant physical properties have been analyzed. A correlation between concentrations and physical properties has been found, supporting the additivity rule.

Characterisation of single aerosol particles from Debrecen region, Hungary using microPIXE

Abstract Quantitative PIXE analysis was performed on 412 single particles (with 2–12 μm diameter) from urban and rural aerosol samples collected in the Debrecen region, Hungary at the Oxford SPM. Hierarchical cluster analysis was carried out to help in the data interpretation. Using single particle analysis it was possible to discriminate several kinds of soil characteristic to the Debrecen region. Some possible sources of these coarse mode particles are discussed.

The effect of radiotherapeutic irradiation on the elemental concentratIon of Iron in human erythrocytes and blood plasma

Abstract PIXE as a sensitive multielemental method has been used for analysing erythrocyte and plasma samples from humans treated with telecobalt therapy in order to search for possible changes in the concentration of elemental constituents caused by the radiation load of bone marrow. The appearance of such an effect seems to be predicted by earlier radiobiological investigations based on whole-body irradiation of animals. While no systematic variation has been observed for most of the essential and trace elements, the measurements revealed an effect of the radiation load on the iron level of blood plasma in the case of patients treated with multifield irradiation.