Effect of Penetrating Radiation on the Production of Persistent Internal Polarization in Electret-Forming Materials

Abstract

The electret state was produced in Teflon and carnauba wax by simultaneous action of penetrating radiation and an electric field. Polymethylmethacrylate, polyvinylacetate, polystyrene, polyethylene, and nylon did not form electrets under these conditions. The shapes of isothermal decay curves and thermal depolarization ``glow curves'' were used to calculate activation energies for the depolarization process in Teflon. The average activation energy as calculated from the ``initial rise'' of thermodepolarization curves was 0.93 eV. The persistent heterocharge of carnauba wax and of certain polymers may be caused by the orientation of dipolar units composed of a positive molecular ion and a partially solvated electron.