DIAGNOSTICS OF RADIATION EXPOSURE OF DIELECTRICS BY FLUORESCENCE TECHNIQUES

We have examined the inherent fluorescence of epoxy resin and polyethy lene samples exposed to radiation from a Co-60 gamma source. We find t hat the fluorescence intensity increases with radiation dose. There is also a significant change, in polyethylene in particular, of the shap e of the fluorescence spectrum. Accordingly, we suggest that a fluores cence intensity ratio approach will be useful, as it is in diagnostics of power transmission cable insulation aging, to assess the aging of dielectrics in radiation environments.