In an attempt to determine the fraction of ions lost by recombination in an xhyphen;ray ionization chamber, a theory has been developed for the processes involved in preferential and initial ionic and electronic recombination. The theory considers the change of the energy distribution of the electrons as they diffuse away from the parent atom. From this, together with a knowledge of the electron capture process, the space distribution of negative ions formed may be obtained. The probability of the initial electron recombining preferentially with the parent positive ion is considered as well as the preferential process for the negative ion. Knowing the initial spacing of the ions, it is possible to calculate the recombination occurring during the diffusion process until random distribution is reached. The final volume recombination may then be calculated in the usual manner. The theory may be employed in both electronegative and free electron gases and to ions formed in the presence or absence of an electric field.
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