Dosimetry with a diamond operating as a resistor.

A very pure diamond with contacts of graphite has a linear current-voltage characteristic when subjected to irradiation. The resistivity is inversely proportional to the dose rate and the sensitivity is extremely high for gamma- and X-rays and electron beams. It is concluded that diamond resistors are suitable for clinical radiation dosimetry. This conclusion is also based on earlier work in which diamonds were used as pinpoint counters.