Decay Times, Fluorescent Efficiencies, and Energy Storage Properties for Various Substances with Gamma-Ray or Alpha-Particle Excitation

Abstract

The results of measurements of the decay time of light flashes induced by gamma-ray quanta, or alpha-particles by means of pulse distribution curves for various crystals, powders, and solutions are presented. The decay of organic substances can be described essentially by a single exponential; in addition, a small more slowly decaying portion is present. The decay of inorganic crystals can be represented by a sum of exponentials with time constants in different ranges. The results support a previous explanation of the lower efficiency of alpha-particles in producing fluorescence when compared to gamma-rays.