Abstract
Cobalt-60 irradiation of the molten salts, CuI, AgBr, and AgCl, at a dose rate of 1.4 X 10³ R/sec produced changes in the electrical conductivity of .1 to .3%. The change in conductivity could not be accounted for by simple models. No change in the Seebeck effect was observed during irradiation. Hall mobilities for AgBr, CuCl, and AgCl were measured to be +.027, +.023, and +.031 (cm²/volt[dot]sec), respectively, at 50°C above the melting temperature of each. Zinc doped Cu₂S exposed to Cobalt-60 radiation was annealed at temperatures between 23°C and 7 3 °C to determine activation energies for annealing of radiation induced resistivity increases. The activation energies .79 ev and .415 ev were used in predicting a damage crossection of .212 ± .02 barns for Cobalt-60 gamma radiation. Cu₂S was then exposed to reactor radiation. Comparison to reactor irradiations of other thermoelectric materials showed the resistance of Cu₂S to be less effected by neutrons.
Plummer, Mitty Charles (1971). The effects of nuclear radiation on the thermoelectric properties of molten salts and P-type cuprous sulfide. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -179353.