UV laser induced fluorescence of unirradiated and irradiated low density polyethylene

The auto fluorescence of unirradiated and gamma-rays, thermal neutrons, argon ions (Ar+) irradiated low density polyethylene (LDPE) films was investigated using a spectroscopic system incorporating a pulsed nitrogen (N-2) laser and optical multichannel analyzer (OMA). LDPE film was found to be auto fluorescent in the visible range (639 nm) after being pumped by pulsed N-2 laser in the ultraviolet (UV) range (337 nm). The fluorescence spectra was found to be affected remarkably by the type of irradiation and also on the absorbed dose showing different behavior either in the peak position or height. This behavior showed that LDPE film could be used as a fluorescence solar energy collector in the application of solar energy or laser dyes where it emits in a very important region in the visible region, which is having many applications especially for the photodynamic therapy. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.