Gamma-ray ionisation in the plasma diode

Abstract

It is shown that the ionization produced in the interelectrode space of a gas-filled diode by the radiation present in a nuclear reactor is insufficient to produce a useful degree of space-charge neutralization. Consideration is given both to direct gamma-ray ionization of gas atoms, and to ionization by fast electrons released from the diode walls by Compton scattering with gamma-rays. The latter process produces the larger effect.