Behaviour of electron beam irradiated polymers: PEA measurements and simulations
Résumé
Abstract Dielectric are commonly used as electrical insulators in the electrical engineering field. It is also largely used in space industry, as they are light materials and offer good thermal properties. However, once in space, due to their insulating nature they can store charges very easily. Above a certain level of charge trapping electrostatic discharges may occur and disturb the functioning of spacecraft. In order to understand the behavior of dielectrics under electronic irradiation, the spatial environment is reproduced at lab-scale. The space charge distribution is studied by Pulse Electro Acoustic (PEA) system that has been implemented to reproduce two configurations (short-circuit and open). To complete these studies simulation models have been developed. Experimental and simulation results obtained on Low Density Poly Ethylene (LDPE) irradiated films are presented and discussed in this paper.