Measurements of K-shell ionization cross sections of Cr, Ni and Cu by impact of 6.5–40 keV electrons

Results from measurements of K-shell ionization cross sections of the elements Cr, Ni and Cu by electron impact with energies in the range 6.5–40 keV are presented. Cross sections were obtained by measuring characteristic x-rays emitted from (1–6 nm thick) films of the studied elements deposited on self-supporting carbon backing films. The procedure yields relative cross sections with uncertainties of the order of 2%. Transformation to absolute units increases the uncertainties to about 10%. Our results are compared with those from other groups and with two calculations based on the first Born approximation, which include corrections for exchange, Coulomb and relativistic effects. A simple empirical formula that accurately describes the energy dependence of the measured cross sections is provided.