High Voltage Gamma-Electric Cell Operation

Stable voltage outputs exceeding 10 kV have been obtained with two multicollector gamma-electric cell designs using epoxy or polystyrene dielectric. Short circuit currents ranged from 3 to 5 × 10⁻¹⁷ A/cm² per R/h. Voltage breakdown and erratic output, observed in certain cell designs and ranges of gamma dose rates, are attributed to radiation effects including induced polarization of the dielectric. A theory for high voltage operation, involving both the collection of Compton electrons and leakage currents, is developed.