Fluorine (F) and strontium (Sr) are key elements in the de- and remineralization of teeth. To quantitatively analyze the distribution of F and Sr, micro-particle-induced gamma/X-ray emission (PIGE/PIXE) technique was used. The cavities were prepared and filled with the fluoride- and Sr-containing restorative materials (FSCMs) in extracted human molars. The single-section enamel specimens were p...

A method is described for assessing occupational exposures to chromium aerosols; it involves four procedures. The first, proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE), measures the total chromium. The second, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), measures the oxidation state of the particle surfaces, and the third, which uses sym-diphenylcarbazide (DPQ, measures the proportion of water-sol...

A computer code, based upon the existing GUPIX code for PIXE analysis, has been developed to fit X-ray spectra that are excited simultaneously by both XRF and PIXE. Full matrix corrections for both excitation modes are included, and element concentrations are deduced. The code is intended for eventual use in processing spectra from the alpha-particle X-ray spectrometers aboard the Mars Explorat...

Metal fiducial markers are often implanted on the back of the eye before proton therapy to improve target localization and reduce patient setup errors. We aim to detect characteristic x-ray emissions from metal targets during proton therapy to verify the treatment range accuracy. Initially gold was chosen for its biocompatibility properties. Proton-induced x-ray emissions (PIXE) from a 15 mm di...

Ion beam analysis (IBA) is a cluster of techniques including Rutherford and non-Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Recently, the ability to treat multiple IBA techniques (including PIXE) self-consistently has been demonstrated. The utility of IBA for accurately depth profiling thin films is critically reviewed. As an important example of IBA, thre...

Forensic anthropologists use various methods to determine the type of weapons used in cases involving a dismembered body. For this study PIXE (particle-induced x-ray emission) analysis was performed on samples taken from pieces of pig bone cut with three different hacksaw blades. The analysis was used to determine if the blades left any elemental residue on the bone. When the results of the PIX...

Multi element analysis of homogenised samples taken from three different areas of a single human liver was performed for 18 elements by proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Small (10--20%) but statistically significant variations between the element contents of these areas were found for Cl, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb and Mo. These differences are not parallel to each other. The variation of el...

Aerosols play an important role in the atmosphere but are poorly characterized, particularly in urban areas like the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA). The chemical composition of urban particles must be known to assess their effects on the environment, and specific particulate emissions sources should be identified to establish effective pollution control standards. For these reasons, sampl...