The Characteristic X-Rays from Boron and Beryllium

Lead stearate and lead lignocerate multilayer soap-film structures are used to disperse the K emission lines of boron and beryllium respectively. Data are presented showing the dependence of the peak height and half-width on the number of layers in the lignocerate structure. Spectra are presented and compared for the pure element and several compounds of each element. Both electron and X-ray excitation are used. Detection is by a thin-window flow-proportional counter.