ATOMIC-BEAM DETECTION WITH SINTERED METAL-OXIDES

We confirmed that sintered metal oxides of the Ni-Mn-Co system are sen sitive to atomic hydrogen, but not to hydrogen gas molecules. Furtherm ore, it was recognized that the above oxides react not only with atomi c hydrogen but also with atomic species of deuterium, oxygen and nitro gen in a similar manner. To find a clue for making the mechanism of th e reaction clear, we prepared oxides of different composition in the t ernary Ni-Mn-Co system and examined the sensitivities to atomic specie s of gaseous molecules. Related physical properties of these samples w ere also measured. By comparing these data, we have concluded that thi s reaction is correlated to the electric resistance and the thermal co efficient of materials, for all gases studied.