Neutron bombardment of counting diamonds

Abstract
Several counting diamonds were exposed to nuclear radiations in a nuclear reactor. The counting efficiency is reduced approximately in proportion to the radiation dosage; a corresponding increase occurs in the optical absorption. Annealing at red heat leads only to partial recovery in both counting and optical transparency. Examination was also made of the effect of neutron bombardment on pulse-height distribution when recording α-particles of homogeneous energy by a diamond counter, used as a solid ionization chamber. The results are interpreted in terms of intrinsic charge traps and of additional charge traps produced by the neutrons. The layered crystal texture disclosed agrees with that already proposed by Champion from earlier counter work and by Pandya & Tolansky (1954) from an interferometric investigation of etch.

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