The isotropic emission of tribo-generated x-rays from peeling adhesive tape

Abstract

x-rays generated through tribological processes are emitted in fast bursts (∼10 ns) that hinder the correct measurement of the corresponding spectrum. In this work we implement a dosimetry technique based on thermoluminescent materials—impervious to pileup problems arising in solid-state active detectors—to measure the angular distribution of the tribo-generated x-rays from peeling adhesive tape. Unexpectedly, we find evidence of an isotropic energy emission on at least one meridian plane. These results may shed light on the physical processes behind the radiation emission in devices that harness the triboelectric effect to generate x-rays, and prove that dosimetry techniques can be used as an alternative characterization tool in the study of the emission from this and other relatively fast systems.