THERMOLUMINESCENCE OF IRRADIATED POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE).

In the reported experiments, the thermoluminescence of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) irradiated with x rays, has been studied in the temperature range 100 to 460 degree K. Two glow peaks with maxima at 136 and 368 degree K have been observed. These are analyzed by three methods and the results are compared. Both curves obey second order kinetics and correspond to activation energies of 0. 17 and 0. 88 eV, respectively. It is possible to identify the centers responsible for the two peaks by correlation with electron spin resonance and optical data obtained for the same samples irradiated under the same conditions. Spectral studies of the emission show that the low temperature peak has its maximum at 365 nm while the high temperature peak has its maximum at 480 nm.