Using inner shell X-rays as an ion beam diagnostic

A beam of protons impinging on a metal foil will ionize inner shell electrons, leaving an atom in an excited state. The atom will then decay via a cascade of Auger or radiative transitions. An analysis has been done of the various radiative transitions resulting from the ionization of M-shell electrons in gold foils. The results of the analysis have been combined with a 1-D hydro-dynamic code in order to predict the time dependent x-ray signals emitted from a target irradiated by proton beams. A comparison of the theoretical and measured signals shows that inner shell x-rays can be used as a viable ion beam diagnostic.. In particular, gold M-shell radiation has been used to infer the proton current as a function of time with the applied-B ion diode on the PROTO I accelerator.