Excited state formation in irradiated polyethylene in the presence of aromatic admixtures at low temperature

Abstract

Radioluminescence from γ and electron pulse-irradiated polyethylene at low temperatures (77–298 K) was investigated. The influence of sample morphology, alkane solvent soaking and aromatic admixtures (naphthalene, pyrene, difenyl etc.) on isothermal and radiothermoluminescence was examined.

The mechanism of charge trapping and radioluminescence generation in irradiated polyethylene is discussed. Fast exciton migration followed by molecular ion rearrangement and recombination seem to be the main processes responsible for excited state formation.