RADIATION DAMAGE BY COMPTON SCATTERING IN GAMMA OR X RAY PUMPED OPTICAL MASERS,
Abstract
The computation of threshold energies of X and gamma rays for the displacement of a lattice element by the nuclear Compton scattering is reported. Numerical results are given for alkali halides and oxides. These computations were carried out as a part of a general feasibility study of direct pumping of optical masers by radiations emitted in the nuclear fission of transactinides. Based on the analysis of the fission data for U235, it is concluded that the direct pumping is not yet technologically feasible because: (1) only a small fraction of the total energy released by the nuclear fission can presently be made available in X rays and gammas, (2) serious radiation damage to the optical maser material would occur if fast neutrons or high energy gammas were used in pumping. The complexity of presently unsolved problems is such that major breakthroughs in both the state-of-the-art of reactor technology and the prevention of radiation damage will be required at first. As an alternate, the conventional conversion of fission energy into electricity and the electrical pumping by carrier injection into recombination radiation devices is suggested. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 15, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0651186
Entities
People
- R. A. Shatas
Organizations
- United States Army Aviation and Missile Command