Electron bombardment of electret foils

A study of electron trapping as a function of (Teflon) sample temperature during irradiation is carried out using the thermally stimulated current technique. Results show that bombardment should take place at elevated sample temperature if one desires a long-lived stable electret. The effect of sample thickness and of a partial discharge onto the sample after irradiation is also investigated. Both molecular motion and thermal excitation seem to play a role in charge release.