PSpice modeling of the pulsed electroacoustic method for dispersive polymer sample application

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Physics

Background:

• Space charge accumulation in dielectric materials poses risks like breakdown and electrostatic discharge in space applications.
• The Pulsed Electroacoustic (PEA) device is essential for measuring space charge in dielectrics.
• Existing PEA signal processing methods struggle with materials causing acoustic wave attenuation and dispersion, and with thin or multi-layer samples.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an advanced PSpice model for improved PEA signal processing.
• To enhance the accuracy of space charge measurements in challenging dielectric materials.
• To address limitations of current PEA analysis for specific sample types.

Main Methods:

• Developed a PSpice model incorporating acoustic wave attenuation and dispersion using the nearly local Kramers-Kronig relation.
• Implemented the polymer sample model as a frequency-dependent transmission line within PSpice.
• Utilized Branin's method of characteristics for the transmission line model.
• Compared simulation results with experimental PEA data from a PTFE sample.

Main Results:

• The developed PSpice model simulates PEA signals with improved accuracy, particularly for materials exhibiting acoustic attenuation and dispersion.
• The model's effectiveness was validated through a comparison with experimental data from a PTFE sample.
• The simulation successfully captured the complex signal characteristics influenced by material properties.

Conclusions:

• The novel PSpice model offers a more accurate approach to PEA signal processing for dielectric materials.
• This advancement is particularly beneficial for analyzing space charge in thin films, multi-layer dielectrics, and materials with significant acoustic wave dispersion.
• The study provides a valuable tool for reliable space charge characterization in demanding applications.