High-sensitivity PEA system with dual-polarity pulse generator

Abstract

The pulsed electroacoustic (PEA) method has been widely used to observe space charge distributions in various solid dielectric materials. The sensitivity of the conventional PEA system is around 1 C/m3. When the charge density is less than 1 C/m3, however, it is difficult to obtain an accurate result because the signal due to the Maxwell stress becomes comparable with the signal to be measured. The Maxwell stress is generated by applying the pulsed electric field to the dielectrics, and independent from the existence of either induced charges by DC bias voltage or internal charges. In order to eliminate the influence of the Maxwell stress, we have developed a new PEA system with a dual-polarity pulse generator. The system allows measurement space at a charge density of around 0.03 C/m3. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.