Electrical Conductivity and Discharge in Spacecraft Thermal Control Dielectrics

Passenheim, B. C.; Lint, V. A. J. van; Riddell, J. D.; Kitterer, R.

doi:10.1109/tns.1982.4336410

Cited by 19 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…One way to reduce the complexity of the test article and extract radially resolved ESD characteristics is by use of a radially symmetric electrodes [2], [5], [7], [8], [17], [20]. In this paper, a custom radially symmetric test article was used identical to that used in [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

ESD Propagation Dynamics on a Radially Symmetric Coupon

Young

Crofton

2015

IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.

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An increasing body of research has been dedicated to determining the magnitude and scaling of spurious electrostatic discharge current transients on solar arrays and other spacecraft dielectrics under inverted gradient charging conditions. A flashover propagation velocity is typically determined, and assumed to be a single constant number that characterizes the collection of events. The complexity of flight-like test articles and diversity of methods used for deriving this velocity from laboratory data have led to apparently conflicting results. In this paper, we attempt to clarify the radial dynamics of electrostatic discharge (ESD) plasmas on a positively charged surface via the use of a simple test article, composed of eight concentric annular electrodes covered with Kapton. Time-resolved induced ESD currents, recorded as a function of electrode radial distance from the inception point, were used to derive empirical velocity distributions. These distributions lead to a number of effects, such as ∼1/r 2 scaling with distance at the beginning of a discharge. Implications for ESD propagation and comparison with previous studies are discussed.Index Terms-ESD, flashover, Kapton, plasma propagation, vacuum discharge.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

ESD Propagation Dynamics on a Radially Symmetric Coupon

Young

Crofton

2015

IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.

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“…Electrons have not been employed as irradiation source so often, since their effect on electrical properties is reportedly relatively weak. [9,10] However, for irradiation, electrons have intriguing merits over other sources. First, they can be focused into a very small probe (down to sub-in diameter) and second, electron sources such as field emission guns are well developed for both microscopic and spectroscopic studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Band‐gap Modification in a Nanoscale Region of Polyethylene by Fast Electrons

Kim

2009

ChemPhysChem

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Drastic change: A nanoscale spot of polyethylene (PE) can change its electrical properties dramatically after exposure to fast electrons-from a representative insulator, via a semiconductor, to a hopping conductor (see picture). These modifications of the chemical and energy-band structures of PE are extremely localized, thus opening a new way to use this conventional polymer in nanotechnology. Herein, a nanoscale area on a polyethylene film is investigated by an electron-microscope-electron-spectroscopy system after exposure to various doses of fast electrons. Therefore, modifications in its physical and chemical properties and the spatial size of a beam-affected area are measured. The results show that the modifications of PE by electrons are significant enough to rebuild the chemical and energy-band structures. Hydrogen is removed through scission while pi bonds are formed by cross-linking between main chains. These changes cause the energy band of PE to show dramatic variation from a wide to a narrow (down to approximately 0.8 eV) band-gap. At the highest dose (10(10) C m(-2)) used herein, an illuminated area of PE becomes quite similar in properties to graphitic amorphous carbon. On the other hand, the size of the beam-affected area is as small as roughly 50 nm in diameter. Since the extent of the modifications can be tailored in a controllable way by the dose, these findings may be fundamental for the utilization of a conventional polymer in nanotechnology.

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“…But oscilloscopes were not flown and the pulse shapes are mostly unknown [14]. Ground tests of the same kinds of samples were able to measure the pulse-shapes and amplitudes while irradiating with electrons from several kilovolts to several megavolts [13], [15]- [18]. In reviewing the reported pulses in many of the ground tests, it was determined that the pulse shapes and amplitudes may depend on the geometry of the test chamber [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gaseous discharge plasmas produced by high-energy electron-irradiated insulators for spacecraft

Frederickson

Benson²,

Cooke³

2000

IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.

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High-energy electron irradiation of insulators in vacuum causes both internal regions and surfaces of insulators to achieve high (negative) static voltage relative to nearby "ground." Occasional spontaneous discharges inject pulses of partially ionized gas composed of the insulating material and surface gas-adatoms into the adjacent vacuum. The gas is capable of partially discharging the high surface potentials by carrying current across the vacuum to "ground." The current-time waveforms were measured as a function of the spatial arrangement of the sample, test chamber electrodes, and static electric fields in order to investigate effects inside spacecraft boxes and cavities. It was found that plane-parallel electric fields are less able to sustain large discharge currents than are divergent electric fields. Also, physical confinement of the pulse of gas within the region of the electric field greatly increases the conductance of the gaseous discharge. Thus, the spatial arrangement of the sample, test chamber electrodes, and static electric field has a strong impact on the level of ESD-pulse threat to sensitive electronics posed by spontaneous discharges of irradiated insulators in spacecraft.

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Electrical Conductivity and Discharge in Spacecraft Thermal Control Dielectrics

Cited by 19 publications

References 8 publications

ESD Propagation Dynamics on a Radially Symmetric Coupon

ESD Propagation Dynamics on a Radially Symmetric Coupon

Band‐gap Modification in a Nanoscale Region of Polyethylene by Fast Electrons

Gaseous discharge plasmas produced by high-energy electron-irradiated insulators for spacecraft

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