BetaEntladung

BetaEntladung is a term used in speculative physics and some German-language discussions to describe a rapid electrical discharge in a dielectric or semiconductor medium that is driven by beta radiation from a nearby radioactive source. The name combines Beta (β) for beta particles and Entladung for discharge.

In the proposed model, beta particles emitted into the medium ionize atoms along their paths, increasing the density of charge carriers and lowering the effective breakdown threshold. When an external electric field is present and reaches a critical level, these ionization events seed an electron avalanche that forms a conductive channel between electrodes. The process is distinguished from conventional discharge by its dependence on irradiation: ionization supplied by beta particles supplements or dominates over field-driven ionization.

The phenomenon is described as sensitive to beta energy and activity, material stopping power, geometry, and the applied field. In gases, solids, or polymers, the specific behavior can differ, because the rate and distribution of ionization vary with material properties. BetaEntladung is not an established term in mainstream electrical engineering or physics; it appears mainly in speculative discussions and some science-fiction contexts. Some related real-world considerations involve radiation-enhanced conductivity in certain materials, where ionization can modify transport properties, but the idea of a dedicated beta-driven discharge channel remains outside standard theory.

Potential implications include applications in radiation sensing, dosimetry, or radiation-hardened electronics, where understanding how ionizing radiation affects breakdown voltages matters. Safety concerns arise from handling radioactive sources and the possibility of unintended discharge under irradiation.