M-X-ray production cross-sections by deuterons of energies 0.2-2.0 MeV were
measured systematically for selected heavy elements between Ta and Th and
the results are reported for the most intense M-alpha beta(M4,5N6,7), M-gam
ma(M3N4,5) and M3O4,5 M-X-ray transitions. The measured M-X-ray production
cross-sections are found to be universal with respect to M-shell scaled vel
ocity xi(M), allowing thus a simple parameterization of the experimental de
uteron-induced M-X-ray cross-sections for applications. This parameterizati
on is found to be accurate within a few percent. The measured M-X-ray cross
-sections for deuterons are compared with available theoretical calculation
s of M-shell ionization by charged particles. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V
. All rights reserved.