Dependence of polytetrafluoroethylene reflectance on thickness at visible and ultraviolet wavelengths in air

Rafael Maria Gutierrez, Next Collaboration The Next Collaboration

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is an excellent diffuse reflector widely used in light collection systems for particle physics experiments. However, the reflectance of PTFE is a function of its thickness. In this work, we investigate this dependence in air for light of wavelengths 260 nm and 450 nm using two complementary methods. We find that PTFE reflectance for thicknesses from 5 mm to 10 mm ranges from 92.5% to 94.5% at 450 nm, and from 90.0% to 92.0% at 260 nm. We also see that the reflectance of PTFE of a given thickness can vary by as much as 2.7% within the same piece of material. Finally, we show that placing a specular reflector behind the PTFE can recover the loss of reflectance in the visible without introducing a specular component in the reflectance.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberP11031
JournalJINST 14
Volume15
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 23 2020

Keywords

  • Detector design and construction technologies and materials
  • Double-beta decay detectors
  • Time projection Chambers (TPC)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mathematical Physics
  • Instrumentation

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