Prompt analysis of rare earths by high-energy PIXE

Thin targets of rare earth fluorides were bombarded with 66 and 85 MeV protons. Measured cross sections for X-ray production agreed with PWBA calculations. Satellite X-rays from nuclear reactions were obtained for both (Z - 1) and (Z + 1) products from the bombardment of element Z. Interference-free sensitivities were of the order of tens of nanograms under bombardment with 1 mC of integrated charge. The technique was applied for the analysis of geological ores and standards.