State-of-the-art efficiency determination for a Si(Li) X-ray detector in the 3–40 keV energy range

TLDR: In this article, an extensive set of radionuclide X-ray intensity standards are used to determine a very precise efficiency curve between 3 and 40 keV energy for a Si(Li) detector.

Abstract: Emission data for radionuclide X-ray intensity standards are revised, and an extensive set of standards is used to determine a very precise efficiency curve between 3 and 40 keV energy for a Si(Li) detector. The curve is compared to predictions of a physical model; it is used to assess the internal consistency of the standard set and to determine the minimum subset of standards necessary to maintain the accuracy afforded by the entire set. The curve is fully consistent with the detector's properties as measured by independent experiments, provided that a surface layer of ice is invoked, as was recently suggested by Cohen. The efficiency values that it generates have accuracy under 1% in the 5–30 keV region. The need for new work on radionuclide standards in the 1–5 keV region is discussed.