Radiation-induced Conductivity in the Solid State, and Some Applications

The mechanism of radiation induced conductivity is discussed with some of the factors which control sensitivity and speed of response in different substances. The relationships in a given substance between dose-rate response, temperature dependence, and decay time are described, from which the induced conductivity in the substance can be predicted. Applications of induced conductivity are discussed, including tissue-equivalent dosage measurement for interface problems; the use of semiconducting crystals for low dose-rate measurement; xeroradiography; and photoconductors in series with electro-luminescent layers. Applications of the last-mentioned system include image intensifying panels, devices to visualize the distribution of an isotope in the human body, and others.