During irradiation of Cu or Ag metal with gamma rays from 241Am, correspondingly Cu or Ag X-rays are emitted, as does happen in the case of Variable Energy X-ray Source, AMC2084,U.K..
The latest findings reveal that from within the same excited atoms two more generations of X-rays are produced. X-rays first generate Bharat radiation with energy higher than that of UV at eV level that in turn generates a new class of UV dominant atomic spectrum of the metal notably at room temperature. The nature of atomic spectrum (percentage of UV, visible (VIS) and near infrared (NIR) radiation intensities in gross light intensity) thus produced depends upon the X-ray energy and not on the element whether it is Cu or Ag. In simple words, a low intense UV emission follows X-rays from the metal during its gamma irradiation.
Gamma rays can dissipate energy in a medium by producing secondary (photo and Compton) electrons which, in turn, in favourable cases, can excite the valence electrons to emit UV or visible light.In a particular metal, these are decided by transitions of energy levels allowed by quantum mechanical rules. Details can be had from quantum mechanics experts or from text books on quantum mechanics. The line emission spectrum of various elements are available from reference data published by National Standard Laboratories. We have to remember that the gamma interaction with a metal will result in a sea of secondary electrons. Also electron-electron interactions also will result in the ionization and excitation of valence electrons producing UV and visible light emissions. I hope I have answered your question.
Dr. Sankaran Ananthanarayanan, 1. YOU ARE POOR IN BASIC RADIATION PHYSICS. 2. YOUR ANSWER LACKS CLARITY AND VERY VAGUE. I am very sure about my experimental discovery of UV dominant optical emission following Cu or Ag X-rays from within the same excited metal atoms of Variable Energy X-ray Source, AMC 2084, U.K. (Braz. J. Phy., 40, no 1, 38-46,2010)
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0103-97332010000100007). I have already explained with unprecedented detail how the optical emission takes place in radioisotopes and XRF sources in the same paper.
FIRST AND BEST REVIEW OF THE RESEARCH PAPER
Margaret West,*a Andrew T. Ellis,b Philip J. Potts,d Christina Streli,c Christine Vanhoof,e Dariusz Wegrzynekf and Peter Wobrauschekc, Atomic spectrometry update-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2011, 26, 1919.
Refer under the title: 2.3 Spectrum analysis, matrix correction and calibration procedures
Words of citation: The phenomenon of optical emission predominantly in the UV, which accompanies the emission of X-rays, gamma rays, and beta radiation from radioisotope sources and X-ray tubes was investigated by Rao. It was the first work in which the emission of UV radiation was confirmed experimentally and a possible explanation for the mechanism of the UV emission was given by the author. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273124068_24_FIRST_AND_BEST_REVIEW_OF_THE_RESEARCH_PAPER_publis
The reviewers already cited my plausible explanation for UV emission following X-rays. PLEASE NOTE IN MY QUESTION, I DID NOT ASK FOR ALTERNATE EXPLANATION, YET YOU TRIED TO PROVIDE ONE.
I never came across any reference on what you said, 'photo and Compton electrons exciting valence electron to emit UV'. And you have not cited any reference, when you said, "(photo and Compton) electrons which, in turn, in favourable cases, can excite the valence electrons to emit UV or visible light.In a particular metal, these are decided by transitions of energy levels allowed by quantum mechanical rules.
When I mentioned my work with Cu or Ag X-rays from AMC2084,UK, you provided your own explanation on gamma rays. Your comment is totally irrelevant and very vague.
You said, "The line emission spectrum of various elements are available from reference data published by National Standard Laboratories". What you quoted is optical spectrum of metals at high temperatures. What I have reported is UV dominant optical emission from Cu, Ag, and Mo XRF sources and 57-Co notably at room temperature. Please note radioisotopes and XRF sources emit a new class of atomic spectra of solids (radioisotopes and XRF sources) unprecedented at room temperature. If I understand correctly, you are trying to downplay the work done and confuse the readers. In this process, your ignorance of the subject is exposed.
Data 24. FIRST AND BEST REVIEW OF THE RESEARCH PAPER publis