EFFECTS OF NUCLEAR RADIATION ON QUARTZ CRYSTAL UNITS

Abstract

The effects of pulsed neutron radiation on the operating characteristics of quartz crystal units were studied. A system was set up for accurately measuring the transient frequency changes occurring in quartz crystals exposed to short-duration (5 microseconds) high-density radiation fields. A 20-microseconds portion of the crystal impedance meter output before, during, and after irradiation was photographed from the scope presentation. A fast neutron dose rate equivalent to 10 to the 15th power NV was obtained by bombarding a uranium target for 5 microseconds with a 14 mev electrons from a linear accelerator. The 90 crystal samples tested were mainly AT types ranging from 4 to 85 mc and 2 NT cuts at 50 and 300 kc, including natural and synthetic blanks and both metal- and glass-enclosed types. Tables of frequency measurements and graphical presentations of data for all types tested are included. Parallel-mode, metalcased AT cuts exhibited momentary frequency shifts, but were operating at or near normal frequency by end of test. Glass-enclosed parallel-mode AT cuts showed a resistance to radiation, though not entirely. Results on the NT cuts were inconclusive. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 30, 1961
Accession Number
AD0268409

Entities

People

  • Albert Fueyo
  • Arnold Schlueter
  • Arthur Donovan

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Corpuscular Radiation
  • Dose Rate
  • Fast Neutrons
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Shift
  • High Density
  • Ionizing Radiation
  • Linear Accelerators
  • Microsecond Time
  • Neutrons
  • Nuclear Radiation
  • Radiation

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics