Electric field effect on positronium formation in gamma-irradiated polypropylene and polyethylene

The effect of an external electric field (up to 48 kV cm⁻¹) on positronium (Ps) formation in γ-irradiated polypropylene and polyethylene has been studied by means of positron lifetime spectroscopy. The application of an electric field to unirradiated polypropylene and polyethylene considerably decreased the Ps formation. For example, the intensity of the longest-lived component (I₃) for one of the polypropylene samples was reduced from 26% to 18% by a field of 48 kV cm⁻¹. It was found that the electric field effect for the irradiated samples becomes weaker when increasing the irradiation dose. This result is discussed on the basis of the spur reaction model of Ps formation.