Thermoluminescence of poly(ethylene terephthalate) films

Abstract

Abstract Thermoluminescence of γ‐ray‐irradiated poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films in the temperature range from 77K to 300 K is studied. Three glow peaks were observed in this temperature range, at 102 K, 257 K, and 277 K, which preferentially emit at 365, 326, and 304 nm, corresponding to usual fluorescence peaks of normal PET films. The cause may be seen in the self‐trapping mechanism which is involved during irradiation of the PET films by γ‐rays. A simultaneous observation of the effect of thermal release and photobleaching on thermoluminescence glow intensity supports this mechanism. Energy required to release the electrons from trapping centres also supports this observation.