X-ray and electron emission from peeling adhesive tape

J J. L. Mapa (Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover 1 , Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover,) L L. Petersen (Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover 1 , Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover,) D D. Theidel (Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, École nationale supérieure de techniques avancées (ENSTA) ParisTech, CNRS, École polytechnique 2 , 828 Boulevard des Maréchaux, 91120 Palaiseau,) P P. Mosel (Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover 1 , Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover,) C C. Fischer (Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover 1 , Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover,) B B. Mathew (Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover 1 , Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover,) S S. Froehlich (Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover 1 , Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover,) K K.-A. Weber (Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover 1 , Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover,) P P. Oberta (Rigaku Innovative Technologies Europe s.r.o. 5 , Dolní Břežany 252 41,) J J.-W. Vahlbruch (Institute of Radioecology and Radiation Protection, Leibniz University Hannover 4 , Herrenhäuser Str. 2, 30419 Hannover,) H H. Merdji (Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, École nationale supérieure de techniques avancées (ENSTA) ParisTech, CNRS, École polytechnique 2 , 828 Boulevard des Maréchaux, 91120 Palaiseau,) U U. Morgner (Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover 1 , Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover,) M M. Kovacev (Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover 1 , Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover,)

Abstract

In the past years, x-ray emission from adhesive tape peeled in vacuum has been reported and investigated. The generation of x rays is driven by fast electrons generated by the tape, similar to triboluminescence. However, most studies focused on electron–solid interactions near the detachment point of the tape. By introducing a defined target material into the setup, we show that produced electrons can escape the direct environment of their generation and propagate for distances in the order of centimeters. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of electron energies is studied using characteristic x rays from the metal target as a probe, revealing a non-homogeneous spatial distribution of the electron energies. We use simulations to reproduce this energy dispersion based on the electrostatic field of the tape. The field influences especially lower energy electron trajectories, altering the point of interaction with surrounding solids. This energy selectivity opens up the possibility to control the x-ray energy of this source.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 128, Issue 19
Published May 11, 2026
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (13)

J

J. L. Mapa

Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover 1 , Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover,

L

L. Petersen

Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover 1 , Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover,

D

D. Theidel

Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, École nationale supérieure de techniques avancées (ENSTA) ParisTech, CNRS, École polytechnique 2 , 828 Boulevard des Maréchaux, 91120 Palaiseau,

P

P. Mosel

Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover 1 , Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover,

C

C. Fischer

Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover 1 , Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover,

B

B. Mathew

Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover 1 , Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover,

S

S. Froehlich

Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover 1 , Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover,

K

K.-A. Weber

Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover 1 , Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover,

P

P. Oberta

Rigaku Innovative Technologies Europe s.r.o. 5 , Dolní Břežany 252 41,

J

J.-W. Vahlbruch

Institute of Radioecology and Radiation Protection, Leibniz University Hannover 4 , Herrenhäuser Str. 2, 30419 Hannover,

H

H. Merdji

Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, École nationale supérieure de techniques avancées (ENSTA) ParisTech, CNRS, École polytechnique 2 , 828 Boulevard des Maréchaux, 91120 Palaiseau,

U

U. Morgner

Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover 1 , Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover,

M

M. Kovacev

Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover 1 , Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover,