Understanding X-ray Spectra: Characteristic vs. Background Radiation

[blue_leaf77]

I'm looking at a program for Monte Carlo simulation of electron trajectory in a matter. When I look at the detected X-ray spectrum, there are two distinct curves, one called "characteristic", the shape of which is peaky. The other is called "background" where the shape is continuous. My association for the source of those spectra is the following:
"Characteristic" => photons emitted from electronic transition
"Background" => Bremmstrahlung
Is that correct?

 

[Choppy]

Basically yes.

The background is going to also consisted of scattered radiation from things between your bremsstraulung source and you detector, including components of your detector. And background radiation of course - but that's likely negligible.

 

[blue_leaf77]

Thank you Choppy.