Theoretical and experimental analysis of electron beam irradiated polymers

Abstract

Charge transport and storage phenomena were analyzed in Teflon FEP, polyethylene (PE), and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) foils irradiated with partially penetrating electron beams, in a Split Faraday Cup (SFC) arrangement. Measurements of electrical current were performed during the electron irradiation. The irradiated front electrode was grounded while the rear electrode was positively biased. The experimental results were fitted by models which considered two different media: the irradiated region (I) and the non-irradiated one (NI). In the later, NI-region, the intrinsic electrical properties of the material were considered. In the I-region, on the other hand, effects of irradiation, as carrier generation, recombination effect and trapping-detrapping phenomenon play a fundamental role in the transport process. Beside the explanation of the experimental behavior observed in each material, the theoretical treatment provided important electrical parameters.