Correlation between dielectric properties and the life of free radicals in a simulated discharge

Several years ago one of us studying the evolution of polymers under plasmas has shown that positive ions were more reactive than electrons or u.v. rays but they were not sufficiently so to explain the transformation caused by corona. The asumption was made that the species of a discharge may have a maximum of efficieny when they act in conjunction, by two, by three… A new equipment was built with ion, electron and u.v. sources. Charge and loss tangent measurements are made inside the chamber, ESR investigations are conducted outside and a tentative is made to correlate the free radicals evolution and the loss of a polypropylene (P.P.).