Importance of hydration in exoelectron emission from ceramic BeO

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7124754

Gammage, R B; Cheka, J S

The influence of the state of hydration on the exoelectron emitting characteristics of BeO ceramic dosimeters for TSEE is very strong and very complex. For dosimetry the most unfavorable characteristics are a ruined TSEE peak shape and loss of intensity; this occurs if atmosphere moisture is allowed to condense onto, and evaporate from, the BeO surface. For unencapsulated dosimeters this occurs when the ambient temperature falls below the dew point. Immersion of irradiated detectors directly into liquid water for a few hours causes fading at a substantial rate, but surprisingly little change in the TSEE peak shape or intensity. The different behaviors with respect to immersion in liquid water and exposure to condensing atmospheric moisture present an enigma. Ceramic BeO TSEE dosimeters can only be used with confidence in atmospheres where below dew point conditions are avoidable, such as inside air conditioned buildings or encapsulated, dry air containers.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 7124754
• Report Number(s): CONF-760980-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440102* -- Radiation Instrumentation-- Radiation Dosemeters
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
BERYLLIUM COMPOUNDS
BERYLLIUM OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DOSEMETERS
EXOELECTRON DOSEMETERS
FLUIDS
GASES
GLOW CURVE
HYDRATION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MOISTURE
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
SENSITIVITY
SOLVATION
VAPORS
WATER VAPOR