Material Charging in Space Environment: Experimental Test Simulation and Induced Conductive Mechanisms

Radiation-Induced Conductivity of Space Used Polymers Under High Energy Electron Irradiation

“…If this trend is not surprising on Teflon® (since we demonstrated in a previous study that RIC of Teflon steeply drops down with the increasing radiation dose [7]), it is however much more questionable for Kapton® since we demonstrated in previous studies that RIC steadily soars up with the increasing radiation dose [8]. Other mechanisms, than those taken into account by several authors [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8], might therefore prevail during the stimulated relaxation. Applying these basic models for stimulated relaxation does not indeed induce any RIC decline but follows the same trend as those described above (RIC rises for Kapton®, as we can see in .…”

“…1. SIRENE standard spectrum and reference KP>5 spectrum [5] SIRENE electron spectrum ([20keV, 250pA/cm2] + [0-400keV, 50pA/cm2]) experimental simulation is achieved with the use of two monoenergetic electron beams. In order to get a spacelike electron beam, the 400keV electron beam, passing through complex diffusion foils, is dispersed in energy from 0 to 400keV.…”

“…Characterization of space material conductivities is then usually performed in our studies using the surface potential decay method. For this method, bulk induced conductivity is assessed through the analysis of the surface potential relaxation after charging the sample with low energy electrons (20 keV) up to a given surface potential [5]. During the electric voltage relaxation, a 400 keV penetrating ionising electron beam (which does not contribute to material charging) is used to stimulate the potential decay through the activation of the radiation induced conductivity.…”

“…RIC and the experimental features are described through a basic 0D numerical model, initially developed by Rose [2] and Fowler [1] and adapted further on by different research teams [3][4][5][6][7][8]. In our study, this model has been amended for a better numerical prediction.…”

Experimental characterisation of charge distribution and transport in electron irradiated PMMA

“…Space charge accumulation and discharge is of great interest both scientifically and technologically [1][2][3][4][5]. There is now a considerable amount of literature concerned with experimental characterization of space charge [6][7][8][9] and with phenomenological models of space charge formation and discharge [10].…”