The Measurement of Electric Charge Induced by Radiation Exposure to Metal Oxide

Abstract

It is reported that a metal surface coated with oxide layer is activated by irradiation, and that surface properties such as wettability and corrosion are changed. Zr is able to generate electrons and holes on the surface of it and oxidation-reduction reaction occurs from them when an irradiation of γ-ray. This phenomenon is called Radiation-Induced Surface Activation. We developed a highly accurate differential-type space charge measurement system and measured the charged particles generated from Zr, ZrO2, Zr-4 irradiated with low level γ-ray.