Stored Charge Release in Cables in Low Fluence X-Ray Environments

The anomalous behavior of shielded satellite cables exposed to X-rays in the Simulation Physics facilities is investigated. Anomalous responses are found to occur for all cables, but braided shield cables only show anomalies in air; semi-rigid cables only show them in vacuum. For braided cables the anomalous response is correlated with charge which resides on or near the surfaces of cable insulation. For semi-rigid cables the anomalous response is strongly correlated with the degree of bending of the cable and the consequent introduction of gaps between shield and dielectric insulation.