A key non-destructive technique for analysis, optimization and developing of new functional materials such as sensors, transducers, electro-optical and memory devices is presented. The Thermal-Pulse Tomography (TPT) provides high-resolution three-dimensional images of electric field and polarization distribution in a material. This thermal technique use a pulsed heating by means of focused laser light which is absorbed by opaque electrodes. The diffusion of the heat causes changes in the sample geometry, generating a short-circuit current or change in surface potential, which contains information about the spatial distribution of electric dipoles or space charges. Afterwards, a reconstruction of the internal electric field and polarization distribution in the material is possible via Scale Transformation or Regularization methods. In this way, the TPT was used for the first time to image the inhomogeneous ferroelectric switching in polymer ferroelectric films (candidates to memory devices). The results shows the typical pinning of electric dipoles in the ferroelectric polymer under study and support the previous hypotheses of a ferroelectric reversal at a grain level via nucleation and growth. In order to obtain more information about the impact of the lateral and depth resolution of the thermal techniques, the TPT and its counterpart called Focused Laser Intensity Modulation Method (FLIMM) were implemented in ferroelectric films with grid-shaped electrodes. The results from both techniques, after the data analysis with different regularization and scale methods, are in total agreement. It was also revealed a possible overestimated lateral resolution of the FLIMM and highlights the TPT method as the most efficient and reliable thermal technique. After an improvement in the optics, the Thermal-Pulse Tomography method was implemented in polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) films, which are used in electro-optical applications. The results indicated a possible electrostatic interaction between the COH group in the liquid crystals and the fluorinate atoms of the used ferroelectric matrix. The geometrical parameters of the LC droplets were partially reproduced as they were compared with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images. For further applications, it is suggested the use of a non-strong-ferroelectric polymer matrix. In an effort to develop new polymerferroelectrets and for optimizing their properties, new multilayer systems were inspected. The results of the TPT method showed the non-uniformity of the internal electric-field distribution in the shaped-macrodipoles and thus suggested the instability of the sample. Further investigation on multilayers ferroelectrets was suggested and the implementation of less conductive polymers layers too. / In dieser Arbeit wird eine zerstörungsfreie Technik zur Analyse, Optimierung, und Entwicklung neuer funktioneller Materialien für Sensoren, Wandler, Speicher und elektrooptische Anwendungen vorgestellt. Die Wärmepuls-Tomographie (engl. Thermal-Pulse Tomography, TPT) liefert dreidimensionale Abbildungen hoher Auflösung von elektrischen Feldern und Polarisationsverteilungen eines Materials. Bei dieser thermischen Methode wird ein fokussierter, gepulster Laserstrahl durch eine undurchsichtige Oberflächenelektrode absorbiert, welche sich dadurch aufheizt. Die einsetzende Wärmediffusion führt – aufgrund der Wärmeausdehnung des Materials – zu Änderungen der Probengeometrie, welche in pyroelektrischen Materialien einen Kurzschlussstrom oder eine Änderung des Oberflächenpotentials zur Folge hat. Diese wiederum enthalten wichtige Informationen über die räumliche Verteilung elektrischer Dipole und Raumladungen im untersuchten Material. Aus dem gemessenen Kurzsschlussstrom kann anschließend das interne elektrische Feld und die Polarisationsverteilung im Material mittels verschiedener Skalentransformations- und Regularisierungsmethoden rekonstruiert werden. Auf diese Weise ermöglichte die TPT-Methode erstmals die Darstellung inhomogener ferroelektrischer Schaltvorgänge in polymeren ferroelektrischen Filmen, welche mögliche Materialien für die Datenspeicherung sind. Die Ergebnisse zeigen eine typische Haftschicht im ferroelektrischen Polymer und unterstützen die Hypothese einer ferroelektrischen Umpolung auf einer der Korngröße äquivalenten Längenskala über Keimbildung und anschließendes Wachstum. Um die Lateral- und Tiefenauflösung zu untersuchen, wurden sowohl die TPT-Methode als auch die äquivalente Methode in der Zeitdomäne (Focused Laser Intensity Modulation Method, FLIMM) auf ferroelektrischen Filme mit Gitterelektroden angewendet. Die Ergebnisse beider Techniken zeigen nach der Datenauswertung mit unterschiedlichen Regularisierungs- und Scale-Methoden eine vollkommene Übereinstimmung. Des Weiteren stellte sich heraus, dass bisherige Untersuchungen der lateralen Auflösung von FLIMM diese möglicherweise überschätzen. Damit behauptet sich TPT als effiziente und verlässliche thermische Methode. Nach einer Optimierung der Optik wurde die TPT-Methode in polymerdispergierten Flüssigkristallen (polymer-dispersed liquid crystals, PDLC), welche in elektrooptischen Anwendungen von Interesse sind, angewendet. Die Ergebnisse deuten auf eine mögliche elektrostatischeWechselwirkung zwischen den COH-Gruppen des Flüssigkristalls und den Fluoratomen der verwendeten ferroelektrischen Matrix hin. Die durch rasterelektronenmikroskopische Aufnahmen (scanning electron microscopy, SEM) gewonnenen geometrischen Parameter der Flüssigkristalltröpfchen konnten mittels TPT reproduziert werden. Für weitere Anwendungen werden schwach ferroelektrische Polymermatrices vorgeschlagen. Im Bestreben neue polymere Ferroelektrete zu entwickeln und deren Eigenschaften zu optimieren, wurden neuartige Mehrschichtsysteme untersucht. Die Ergebnisse aus der TPT-Methode zeigen eine Abweichung der Uniformität der inneren Verteilung des elektrischen Feldes in den geformten Makrodipolen, was auf eine Instabilität der Probe hindeutet. Ebenfalls wurden weitere Untersuchungen an Mehrschicht-Ferroelektreten und die Anwendung von halbleitenden Polymerschichten vorgeschlagen.

No estudo do transporte e armazanamento de cargas elétricas, em filmes de Teflon FEP, utilizamos a Técnica de Pulso Térmico em conjunto com a Técnica de Corrente Termoestimulada em circuito aberto. Através das duas técnicas, pudemos acompanhar a evolução das cargas nas amostras (de 25 &#956m) submetidas ao Annealing e a descarga iônica em diferentes situações, comparando os resultados obtidos em amostras virgens com as amostras tratadas ou irradiadas. No caso das amostras irradiadas, verificamos que o contato era injetor de buracos e, posteriormente, sugerimos a dependência da mobilidade de buracos com o campo elétrico aplicado. Na tentativa de explicar os resultados obtidos, fizemos uso de alguns modelos teóricos de correntes limitadas por carga espacial. / The Heat Pulse and TSC (Thermo-Stimulated-Current) in open circuit techniques were used to study the transport and storage of injected charge in Teflon FEP films. Using these techniques it was possible to follow the evolution of the injected charge inside the samples. Virgin samples (as received), previously annealed samples and previously ionic bombarded samples were used. The results of treated samples were compared with the results of virgin samples. Aluminum evaporate contacts covering ionic bombarded surface show hole injection properties. Measurement of space charge limited currents shows a mobility dependent of the electrical field (&#956 &#945 E-1/2).

No estudo do transporte e armazanamento de cargas elétricas, em filmes de Teflon FEP, utilizamos a Técnica de Pulso Térmico em conjunto com a Técnica de Corrente Termoestimulada em circuito aberto. Através das duas técnicas, pudemos acompanhar a evolução das cargas nas amostras (de 25 &#956m) submetidas ao Annealing e a descarga iônica em diferentes situações, comparando os resultados obtidos em amostras virgens com as amostras tratadas ou irradiadas. No caso das amostras irradiadas, verificamos que o contato era injetor de buracos e, posteriormente, sugerimos a dependência da mobilidade de buracos com o campo elétrico aplicado. Na tentativa de explicar os resultados obtidos, fizemos uso de alguns modelos teóricos de correntes limitadas por carga espacial. / The Heat Pulse and TSC (Thermo-Stimulated-Current) in open circuit techniques were used to study the transport and storage of injected charge in Teflon FEP films. Using these techniques it was possible to follow the evolution of the injected charge inside the samples. Virgin samples (as received), previously annealed samples and previously ionic bombarded samples were used. The results of treated samples were compared with the results of virgin samples. Aluminum evaporate contacts covering ionic bombarded surface show hole injection properties. Measurement of space charge limited currents shows a mobility dependent of the electrical field (&#956 &#945 E-1/2).

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / The Thermal Pulse GMAW process seeks the combination of relative high productivity, good weld bead finish and low spatter generation of the Pulsed GMAW with the capability of controlling welding pool of the Pulsed TIG. Nevertheless, its industrial application is still very limited, except for aluminum welding. But this GMAW version may become differential for application if a distribution of the arc/droplet heat and pressure along the joint is applied. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential weld pool control of the Thermal Pulsed GMAW for automated welding of root passes, without backing strips. Synchronization between the thermal pulses and torch trapezoidal weaving was initially devised. In this case, the thermal pulse was applied on the joint side, ensuring to melt this region, and the thermal base applied during the transition from one side to the other, in order to minimize the possibility of weld pool collapse, by reducing the heat and pressure of arc and droplets during this period. The maximum root gap was searched by evaluating this technique under different root gaps at several oscillation amplitudes for a given combination of thermal pulse and base parameters (V-groove butt joints of carbon steel welded in flat position, with and without root face). The results showed that this approach, in contrast to the welding without any synchronization, was able to control the weld pool. Root passes with complete penetration, adequate geometry and defect free were produced for gaps ranging from 2,5 to 6 mm. The oscillation amplitude must be larger than the root gap. However, the process does not seem robust enough and requires further investigation to allow keeping the same welding parameters regardless joint geometry variations, especially in the root face and gap. / Com o processo MIG/MAG com Pulsação Térmica busca-se a combinação de uma relativa alta produtividade, bom acabamento do cordão e baixa geração de respingos da soldagem MIG/MAG Pulsada com a capacidade de controle da poça de fusão da soldagem TIG Pulsada. Porém, sua aplicação é ainda muito limitada no meio industrial, com apelo apenas para soldagens de alumínio. Mas esta versão do MIG/MAG pode ter um diferencial de aplicação ao se usar a distribuição de calor e pressão do arco/gotas ao longo da junta. Desta forma, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial da soldagem MIG/MAG com pulsação térmica para controlar a poça de fusão em soldagens automatizadas de passes de raiz, sem utilização de cobrejunta. Para isso, foi inicialmente desenvolvida uma sincronização da pulsação térmica com o tecimento trapezoidal da tocha. Neste caso, o pulso térmico foi aplicado nas laterais da junta, garantindo a fusão desta região, e a base térmica aplicada durante o movimento de transição entre uma lateral e outra, com a finalidade de minimizar o risco de colapso da poça pela redução do calor e pressão do arco e gotas durante este período. Esta abordagem foi avaliada sob diferentes aberturas de raiz em distintas amplitudes de oscilação, para uma dada combinação de parâmetros de pulso e base térmicos (juntas de topo de aço carbono com chanfro em V , posição plana, com e sem altura do nariz). Buscou-se verificar a máxima abertura de raiz possível de ser soldada. Os resultados mostraram que foi possível controlar a poça de fusão com o uso dessa abordagem, em contraste com soldagens sem essa sincronização. Passes de raiz com penetração completa, geometria adequada e livre de defeitos foram obtidos em juntas de topo com abertura variando de 2,5 a 6 mm. Os resultados mostram que a amplitude de oscilação tem de ser maior do que a abertura da raiz. Porém, o processo ainda se mostra pouco robusto, demandando maiores estudos para permitir manter os mesmos parâmetros de soldagem frente a variações da geometria do chanfro, sobretudo a altura e o tamanho da folga na raiz. / Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica

La fiabilité des chaînes de conversion électrique dans les systèmes embarqués est un enjeu critique dans les applications où interviennent des contraintes liées à la sécurité des personnes ou à des aspects économiques non-négligeables. La maintenance préventive permet de surveiller le bon fonctionnement des maillons faibles de la chaîne de conversion, tels que les composants de puissance à semiconducteurs (IGBT à grille en tranchée) présents dans les convertisseurs d'électronique de puissance utilisés dans le domaine du transport. L'objectif de ce travail est d'évaluer la possibilité d'utiliser l'état de l'oxyde de grille comme indicateur de l'état opérationnel du composant, lorsque celui-ci est soumis à des contraintes thermo-électriques représentatives de son fonctionnement. Les résultats obtenus par couplage de différentes techniques non destructives (méthode capacité-tension et méthode de mesure des charges d'espace) mettent en évidence des évolutions de l'oxyde liées à des effets causés par les charges électriques dans les zones de la structure les plus contraintes.L'étude et la modélisation des phénomènes diélectriques dans les couches minces d'oxyde nécessitent de nouvelles méthodes de mesure de la charge électrique à haute résolution spatiale. Dans le présent travail, nous démontrons, à travers des simulations et des résultats expérimentaux, l'applicabilité d'une de ces techniques de caractérisation, « la méthode de l'impulsion thermique », sur ce type de structures de la microélectronique. Sa sensibilité aux fines zones de champ électrique localisées au niveau des interfaces est en particulier mise en évidence, en ouvrant des voies vers la mise au point de nouvelles techniques à haute résolution spatiale, basées sur des stimuli thermiques. / The reliability of the electrical conversion chains in embedded systems is a critical issue in applica-tions where the security of persons and the economic aspects are significant. Preventive maintenance allows monitoring the proper functioning of the « weak links » in the conversion chain, such as power semiconductors components (trench gate IGBT) present in the electronic power converters used in the transport sector. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the possibility of using the gate oxide state as an indicator of the operational state of the component when it is subjected to thermo-electrical stress such as during service. The results obtained by coupled non-destructive techniques (capacitance-voltage and space charges measurement methods) bring out changes in the oxide produced by electrical charges in the most stressed areas of the structure.The study and modeling of dielectric phenomena in thin oxide layers require new high resolution methods for measuring the electric charge. In this work, simulations and experimental results have been used to demonstrate the applicability of one of these techniques, « the Thermal Pulse Method », to this type of microelectronic structures. The electric field at interfaces detected due to the sensitivity of this method is highlighted, opening ways to the development of new techniques with high spatial reso-lution, based on thermal stimuli.