Gamma Irradiation Effects on Electrets

Carnauba wax electrets were irradiated with gamma rays from a ${\mathrm{Co}}^{60}$ source. Doses varied between 0 and 5 megaroentgen (Mr). After irradiation the polarization of the electrets was determined by reheating them in short circuit and measuring the released charge. This charge was found to decrease roughly exponentially with dose, with a decay constant of the order of 1 Mr. A background effect due to Compton polarization is described.