Evidence for the Polarization of Polyethylene from Positron Lifetimes

Abstract

Four lifetimes have been resolved for positrons annihilating in polyethylene. The three longer lifetimes are identified with three kinds of morphologies in which the positrons annihilate. These lifetimes are observed to decrease with increase of applied static electric field across the polyethylene. This evidence and evidence from the intensities associated with these three lifetimes support the conclusion that polyethylene is polarized under the influence of a static electric field.