Proton induced gamma emission (PIGE) and proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) are two related methods for quantitative elemental analysis.
A proton beam is directed onto a sample causing an atomic reaction that emits gamma or X-ray radiation dependent on the technique being employed. EPAC will be capable of producing proton beams by focusing the laser onto a solid target. The protons accelerated by this process reach sufficiently high energies (MeV) or PIGE/PIXE. The short-pulsed nature of the beam will enhance the sensitivity of the analysis by decreasing the delay between exposure and measurement, while having an accurately quantified pulse length.