Influence of β-rays and γ-rays on the discharge current in chlorine under ozonizer excitation

Abstract

Irradiation with β-rays or γ-rays of a low-frequency electric discharge in chlorine produces changes in the discharge current analogous to the Joshi effect. Large positive effects occur on irradiation with γ-rays, whereas the negative effect is large on irradiation with visible light, where the Joshi effect varies linearly with the light frequency. Irradiation with β- or γ-rays of any part of the discharge produces these effects, in contrast to the Joshi effect which is produced by illuminating the electrode regions alone. For a given minimum intensity and frequency of the external radiation, the effect is positive at low applied potentials. It first increases with potential, and then decreases to become negative at large potentials. For a given potential, the positive and negative effects increase with the intensity of β-rays or γ-rays, more rapidly at low than at high intensities, where they exhibit a saturation effect. In some cases, and especially depending on the applied potential, a reversal in sign of the effect occurs when the intensity of the β-rays or γ-rays is varied. It appears that the positive effect observed on irradiation with β-rays or γ-rays is due to enhanced ionization at low electric fields, while the negative effect is caused by the space-charge dependence on the magnitude of the potential and the intensity of radiation.