CHARGING OF POLYMER-FILMS UNDER THE ACTION OF VACUUM-ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT

It was shown that the action of vacuum ultraviolet light on single-sid ed metallized polymer films induces an excess charge density on the ir radiated (nonmetallized) surface. The highest values of surface potent ial and electric field strength in the bulk were recorded in tetrafluo roethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer films (-360 V and 1.2 x 10(7) V/m, respectively). The sign of transient charging current is the sam e as that of more mobile charge carriers in the polymer. The buildup o f surface potential is explained by diffusion of the mobile charge car riers into the unirradiated part of the polymer and by the formation o f excess charge density of the opposite sign in the irradiated region.