The influence of red and infrared light on a crystal counter

Abstract

The influence of red light in the reduction of the space charge built up in a crystalcounter, is described, especially for the case of a diamond crystal. The distribution of the pulses and the decreasing of the pulse-magnitude as a function of the irradiation with α-particles, as well as the increasing of this magnitude with red light, is explained qualitatively. It is possible to maintain the counting property of the crystal for an unlimited time, if only the intensity of the light is sufficient.