At 08:07 AM 8/14/97 -0500, you wrote:

>  I would guess that a source that gave off
>gamma's at about the same energy level as the UV light would work fine.

Eh ? You can't have a gamma anywhere near the energy of UV as far as I
know its impossible. The gamma is higher frequency electromagnetic
radiation than UV and would likely go straight through the cell with
out ionising it - ie dislodging the charge.

Remember energy level and frequency are not separable when it comes
to electromagnetic radiation - be careful - there is no safe dose
of Gamma OR UV for that matter - but you can sit in front of a bar
heater for as long as you like ;)

>Wonder what kind of shielding the package adds?

At Gamma frequencies - NONE - ZERO - ZILTCH.

>Probably the best method would to be to etch a hole in the package and use
>a light.

Why not paste it to the face of a really old Black and White monitor,
leave the monitor brightness turned up to maximum (after you've tweaked
the EHT up about 20% - BEFORE it ARCS) and leave them there for about
3 days and check what percentage of bits were cleared - ie do a before
and after statistical test - OH and don't forget to turn off the
deflection coils - so you'd better paste the chips to where the beam
center would be.

Make sure you are far away from the jigged up monitor - ie put it
in the garden shed. If the kittens have two heads or start talking to
congress or making phone calls then don't blame me but send me a 20%
commission when you sell them to the National Enquirer ;)

Rgds

Mike
Perth, Western Australia