Anisotropic Electrical Conductivity in Quartz During γIrradiation

Electrical conductivity of quartz during {gamma}-irradiation has been studied at 295{Kappa}. A significant electric current was observed in z-cut quartz, but it could not be measured at all in x-cut quartz, y-cut quartz, and amorphous silica. The mobile ionic species produced during {gamma}-irradiation migrate efficiently along the c axis of a quartz crystal. The G value (i.e., the number of product molecules (or ions) formed on irradiations per 100 eV of energy absorbed) of the mobile free ions was determined to be 0.018 from the field dependence of current at low dose rates.