Electric-field effect on positronium formation and decay in some polymers and fused quartz

The effect of static electric field on the formation and annihilation of positronium in polyethylene, polystyrene, teflon, quartz, nylon and perspex has been investigated employing a fast timing spectrometer with prompt resolution (fwhm) ∼200 ps at the positron experimental settings. No significant variation in the lifetime of the long lived pick-off component with electric field has been observed. The intensity of the long-lived pick-off component decreases with increase of the field in all the cases investigated except in nylon and perspex where the intensity remains constant with the field. The results have been discussed in the frame work of the spur reaction model proposed by Mogensen and also in the light of the Ore gap model, as discussed by Brandt and Wilkenfeld. Another interesting correlation seems to exist between positronium formation and dielectric loss factor; in case of increasing loss factor there is a decrease in the effect of electric field. Work performed at Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Calcutta 700009, India.