A single crystal as a converter of the energy of relativistic electrons to γ-radiation

The survey gives the analysis of new data on spectral characteristics, total radiation energy losses and angular distributions of γ-radiation due to ultrarelativistic electrons in silicon single crystals of different thickness. Primary emphasis is placed on the experimental studies performed at the Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology using a 1.2 GeV electron beam. Electron-to-photon energy conversion ratios are determined and the ''optium'' silicon single crystal thickness is found. Advantages of single crystals of a large thickness are demonstrated for applying them as radiation converters to produce intense high-bright-ness beams of γ-quanta, these being an efficient tool in the studies of radiation materials science