Feasibility study of a portable PIXE system using a210Po alpha source

An alpha source which consists of 1 mCi of 210Po electro-deposited on 1 μm thin Ag foil attached to a ceramic backing has been prepared. The overall geometry exhibits a truncated-conical shape. The source has been coupled to a standard 10 mm diameter Si(Li) X-rays detector connected to a portable electronic system (ORTEC-NOMAD). The analysed area of the exposed samples is 16 mm in diameter. Preliminary results state that medium-light elements, like Ca, Ti, Fe, Co, Cr, Ni and Cu can be easily analysed at concentrations of some per cent. Lighter elements determination is affected by the enhancing presence of X-rays generated in the Ag foil and by some chlorine impurities. PIXE measurements of attic greek pottery sherds are discussed.