Thermoluminescence in polyethylene. I. Electron traps

For a slow warming rate, the thermoluminescence glow curves of a wide range of polyethylene samples have been recorded. All show five similar glow peaks, One of these is confirmed as electron trapping on molecular oxygen. It is shown that the remaining four peaks are a property of the polymer itself; of these, two are associated with main chain unsaturation and two with cavities or similar defects in the folded and amorphous regions of the solid. The role of phosphorescence quenching in the recording of thermoluminescence glow curves is briefly discussed.