The Pulse Response of Electrets to Energetic Ions
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate how electrets respond to energetic ion irradiation. When an energetic ion interacts with an electret, a dielectric material containing a quasi-permanent electrostatic polarity, both electrical signals and luminescence signals result. The energetic ions used in the study were alpha particles and fission fragments. The electrets used were corona-charged and electron-beam charged polyfluoroethylene propylene. Both direct interaction (with the electret material itself) and indirect interaction (with the air above the electret) were studied. The electret's pulse electrical response was measured at surface and near-surface electrodes using a charge-sensitive amplification system and a multi-channel analyzer. Alpha particles were found to produce an electrical pulse response by indirect interaction. The pulse luminescence response of electrets was measured using a photomultiplier-amplifier-multi-channel analyzer system. Because the direct response to energetic ions was found to be transient, it may not be useful in radiation detection.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA202201
Entities
People
- Stephen R. Berggren
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology