Zur Erforschung des Verhaltens der Kernmaterie wurde mit dem Dielektronen-Spektrometer HADES am GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt unter anderem die Reaktion p + Nb bei 3,5 GeV kinetischer Strahlenergie untersucht. Obwohl HADES primär für den Nachweis seltener leptonischer Zerfälle der Vektormesonen ρ, ω und φ konzipiert wurde, eignet sich das Spektrometer aufgrund seiner präzisen Spurrekonstruktion auch für die Untersuchung von hadronischen Kanälen. Zum Studium der Strangeness-Signaturen in der Reaktion p + Nb wird in dieser Arbeit der im Jahr 2008 aufgezeichnete Datensatz von ca. 4,2 Milliarden Kollisionen hinsichtlich der Produktion und der dabei auftretenden Polarisation von Λ-Hyperonen untersucht. Die polarisierte Produktion von Hyperonen in Kernreaktionen mit unpolarisierten Ausgangsteilchen wurde entgegen den theoretischen Erwartungen erstmals 1976 beobachtet und fand bis heute keine allgemein akzeptierte und alle beobachteten Abhängigkeiten umfassende Erklärung auf Grundlage der starken Wechselwirkung. Es werden zunächst die theoretischen Modelle der Hyperonpolarisation diskutiert und der experimentelle Zugang erklärt. Dieser gelingt über den schwachen Zerfall des Λ-Hyperons, der als natürliches Polarimeter wirkt und somit insbesondere in Reaktionen mit unpolarisierten Nukleonen ein ideales Instrument zur Untersuchung der Polarisation darstellt. Aufgrund der großen Raumwinkelabdeckung ermöglicht HADES, Λ-Hyperonen in einem weiten Phasenraumbereich zu rekonstruieren, sodass deren Produktionsrate und Polarisation in Abhängigkeit der Observablen Transversalimpuls pt und Rapidität y analysiert werden. Aus insgesamt 1,1 Millionen rekonstruierten Λ-Hyperonen werden nach der Korrektur bezüglich der Detektorakzeptanz und -effizienz transversale Massenspektren extrahiert. Deren inverser Steigungsparameter TB (y) nimmt ein Maximum von rund 90 MeV bei y = 1, d.h. unterhalb der Schwerpunktsrapidität im Nukleon-Nukleon-Stoß (ycm = 1,12), an und fällt zu kleinen Rapiditäten deutlich schneller ab als für Teilchen im thermischen Gleichgewicht. Die Λ-Rapiditätsdichte zeigt eine asymmetrische Verteilung, die aufgrund von Mehrfachstreuung der Λ-Hyperonen hauptsächlich mit Kern-Nukleonen deutlich zur Targetrapidität verschoben ist und mit steigender Rapidität > 0,3 stark abnimmt. Auf den vollständigen Phasenraum extrapoliert, erfüllt die Produktionsrate von 0,018 ± 0,004 Λ-0 Hyperons je Ereignis, verbunden mit der Multiplizität von Ks -Mesonen und den mittels Transportmodell abgeleiteten Produktionsverhältnissen zu den übrigen Kaonen und Hyperonen, die Strangeness-Erhaltung im Mittel der gemessenen Kollisionen. Darüber hinaus zeigt das Λ-Hyperon eine signifikant negative Polarisation relativ zur Normalen seiner Produktionsebene, die über den verfügbaren Phasenraum gemittelt Px = (−10,6 ± 1,3) % beträgt und deren Betrag mit steigendem Transversalimpuls entsprechend Px (pt ) = (−0,19 ± 0,02) (GeV/c)−1 pt linear zunimmt. Die Ergebnisse bezüglich der Λ-Polarisation und Phasenraumverteilung werden mit denen anderer Experimente ähnlicher Stoßsysteme verglichen und im Rahmen von systematischen Untersuchungen mit Transportmodellen interpretiert, um Details zur Dynamik der Hyperon-Produktion in Proton-Kern-Reaktionen abzuleiten. Derzeit verfügbare Versionen der GiBUU- und UrQMD-Modelle können die experimentellen Verteilungen im Phasenraum jedoch nicht hinreichend reproduzieren. Mit der Rekonstruktion von Ξ− -Hyperonen und φ-Mesonen wird ein Ausblick auf weiterführende Studien zur Strangeness-Produktion in Nukleon-Kern-Stößen gegeben. / With the dielectron spectrometer HADES, located at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt, p + Nb reactions at a kinetic beam energy of 3.5 GeV were measured to study the behavior of nuclear matter. Although primarily designed for the detection of rare leptonic decays of the light vector mesons ρ, ω and φ, the spectrometer renders itself very well suited for the investigation of hadrons, due to its excellent tracking capability. This thesis presents results of the production and polarization of strange Λ hyperons in about 4.2 billion reactions of p + Nb recorded in 2008. In contrast to theoretical expectations, the polarized production of hyperons was observed in 1976 for the first time in nuclear reactions with unpolarized beams. Based on the fundamental properties of strong interaction, to date no single explanation exists describing all dependencies of the observed hyperon polarization. Therefore, common theoretical models of hyperon polarization are introduced. Acting as a natural polarimeter, the Λ hyperon represents an excellent tool to study the phenomenon of hyperon polarization especially in reactions with unpolarized beams and targets. Hence, the experimental technique for extracting the polarization using the weak decay of the Λ hyperon is explained. Due to a large solid angle coverage, HADES allows for the reconstruction of hadrons within a wide phase space range. Consequently, a double-differential analysis of the polarization and production probability as a function of transverse momentum pt and rapidity y is performed. In total, 1.1 million Λ hyperons are reconstructed and corrected for detector acceptance and efficiency. The inverse slope parameter TB is extracted from transverse mass spectra. Its rapidity dependence TB (y) shows a maximum of 90 MeV at y = 1, i.e. below the center-of-mass rapidity of the nucleon-nucleon collision ycm = 1.12, and a stronger decrease to lower rapidities than particles in thermal equilibrium. The Λ rapidity density shows an asymmetric distribution, shifted towards target rapidity, which is probably caused by multiple scattering on target nucleons. Extrapolated to the full phase space, the total multiplicity of 0.018 ± 0.004 Λ hyperons per event satisfies strangeness conservati- 0 on on average. For that purpose, the Ks production rate from another analysis and ratios to the other, unmeasured, strange hadrons, derived from transport simulations, are taken into account. Furthermore, the Λ hyperon shows a significant negative polarization perpendicular to its production plane, which amounts to Px = (−10.6 ± 1.3) % averaged over the phase space accessible to HADES. The measured Λ polarization increases almost linearly with increasing transverse momentum pt , according to Px (pt ) = (−0.19 ± 0.02) (GeV/c)−1 pt . In order to spot details on the dynamics of hyperon production in proton-nucleus reactions, the results on Λ polarization and phase space distribution are compared to those of similar reactions. Additionally, a systematic investigation with transport model simulations is performed. The experimental distributions can not be reproduced sufficiently well by the presently available GiBUU and URQMD models. Moreover, an outlook on further studies of strangeness production in nucleon-nucleus collisions by reconstruction of Ξ− hyperons and φ mesons is given.

La géophysique procure une vision d'ensemble du sous-sol sous forme de cartes et de coupes et apporte des informations précieuses sur la géologie et l'organisation du sous-sol. Bureau d'étude spécialise dans les diagnostics de sols et la recherche d'objets enterrés, Geoscope, partenaire de la thèse CIFRE, désire développer sa thématique géophysique appliquée aux sites et sols pollués. L'objectif est de localiser, de limiter et caractériser les zones polluées aux hydrocarbures. L'étude porte sur l'impact des pollutions hydrocarbonées sur la réponse géoélectrique, et plus spécifiquement sur la réponse en polarisation provoquée spectrale. Les mécanismes de polarisation, qui peuvent être modifiés par la présence d'hydrocarbures, interviennent sur des gammes de fréquences caractéristiques. La polarisation provoquée spectrale, qui mesure la réponse d'un milieu dans le domaine fréquentiel, apporte des informations plus précises que les autres méthodes géoélectriques qui fonctionnent dans le domaine temporel. Les effets de la présence d'hydrocarbures sont étudiés à différentes échelles : (i) à l'échelle du laboratoire, sur des milieux synthétiques afin d'appréhender les mécanismes de réponse (ii) à l'échelle de deux sites pollués afin de confronter les modèles développés en, laboratoire aux données réelles, d'apprécier les limites des méthodes et d'adapter les protocoles utilisés.

Les communautés de la physique nucléaire et des hautes énergies ont montré un intérêt croissant pour les faisceaux de positrons intenses et hautement polarisés. Des photons polarisés durs peuvent produire des positrons dans le champ atomique par création de paire, l'électron et le positron ainsi produits portent une partie de la polarisation de la particule initiale. Les récentes avancées dans le domaine des sources d'électrons à courants intenses (1 mA) et hautement polarisés au Jefferson Lab offrent la perspective de créer des positrons polarisés à partir d'électrons de faible énergie. Cette thèse se propose de discuter les transferts de polarisation aux positrons dans la perspective d'une optimisation du design d'une source de positron polarisée. L'expérience PEPPo, visant à mesurer la polarisation de positrons par un faisceau d'électrons de basse énergie (<10MeV) mais de basse intensité est discutée. Une démonstration concluante de cette technique fournirait une méthode alternative de produire des positrons polarisés de basse énergie et des informations utiles pour optimiser le design d'une source dans la gamme d'énergie inférieure au GeV.

L'imagerie polarimétrique consiste à acquérir des images contenant des informations relatives à la polarisation de la lumière diffusée par une scène. L'objectif de cette thèse est d'utiliser les propriétés de ce type d'imagerie afin de d'améliorer le contraste entre plusieurs objets d'intérêt.Dans le cadre de l'optimisation du contraste entre deux objets d'intérêt, nous démontrons que, si l'on travaille à temps d'acquisition fixe, c'est l'acquisition d'une unique image avec des états d'illumination et d'analyse optimisés qui permet d'atteindre les meilleures performances. C'est pourquoi nous avons développé un imageur pouvant générer et analyser n'importe quel état de polarisation sur la sphère de Poincaré, en utilisant des cellules à cristaux liquides. Ces états peuvent être contrôlés afin de faire varier le contraste dans les images et nous montrons que les ''états optimaux" permettant de maximiser le contraste dépendent des conditions de mesure. En particulier, la valeur des états de polarisation maximisant le contraste entre deux objets d'intérêt dépend des bruits de mesure (bruit de détecteur, bruit de Poisson, Speckle) ainsi que des fluctuations spatiales des propriétés polarimétriques dans la scène. Une mauvaise estimation de la source de bruit peut donc amener à une perte significative de contraste.Nous nous intéressons ensuite à un scénario d'imagerie plus complexe où la scène peut être illuminée de manière non-uniforme. Nous proposons une méthode d'acquisition utilisant l'ensemble des degrés de liberté fournis par notre imageur et montrons que cette méthode permet d'augmenter significativement le contraste par rapport aux résultats obtenus avec d'autres types d'imagerie comme l'imagerie OSC (Orthogonal State Contrast).Nous étendons ensuite nos études à un cas ''multicibles" où plus de deux objets doivent être distingués. Nous montrons notamment que l'accroissement du nombre d'images peut dégrader le contraste et qu'il existe un nombre optimal d'images à acquérir si l'on travaille à temps d'acquisition fixe.Enfin, nous proposons une méthode visant à automatiser notre imageur pour l'optimisation du contraste en combinant de manière itérative l'acquisition d'images polarimétriques optimisées et un algorithme de segmentation par contours actifs statistiques. Des premiers résultats expérimentaux mettent en évidence l'avantage de cette intégration d'algorithmes de traitement numérique au c\oe ur du processus d'acquisition de l'image.

Les technologies SOI partiellement désertées (PD-SOI), permettent de gagner en performances ou en consommation dynamique, par rapport à leur équivalent sur substrat massif (BULK). Leur inconvénient principal est la consommation statique qui est bien supérieure, en raison principalement de l'effet de body flottant de ses transistors. Ce travail propose une technique de réduction de la consommation statique, pour la technologie PD-SOI, basée sur le principe des interrupteurs de puissance. Un nouveau facteur de mérite recherchant le meilleur compromis entre vitesse, courant de fuite et surface est introduit pour la sélection du meilleur interrupteur de puissance. L'interrupteur de puissance proposé apporte par rapport à une solution de référence, et pour le même courant de fuite en mode éteint, une réduction de la résistance équivalente en mode passant de 20%. Les tests comparatifs sur Silicium de blocs LDPC incluant ces montages montrent, entre PD-SOI et BULK, un gain de 20% en vitesse pour la même tension d'alimentation, une réduction de 30% de la consommation dynamique pour la même vitesse et une division par 2 de la consommation statique. Enfin, une bascule de rétention, élément à associer aux interrupteurs de puissance, optimisée pour le PD-SOI, est proposée. Cette bascule est conçue de manière robuste et peu fuyante.

On révise les prérequis de géométrie différentielle nécessaires à une première approche de la théorie de la quantification géométrique, c'est-à-dire des notions de base en géométrie symplectique, des notions de groupes et d'algèbres de Lie, d'action d'un groupe de Lie, de G-fibré principal, de connexion, de fibré associé et de structure presque-complexe. Ceci mène à une étude plus approfondie des fibrés en droites hermitiens, dont une condition d'existence de fibré préquantique sur une variété symplectique. Avec ces outils en main, nous commençons ensuite l'étude de la quantification géométrique, étape par étape. Nous introduisons la théorie de la préquantification, i.e. la construction des opérateurs associés à des observables classiques et la construction d'un espace de Hilbert. Des problèmes majeurs font surface lors de l'application concrète de la préquantification : les opérateurs ne sont pas ceux attendus par la première quantification et l'espace de Hilbert formé est trop gros. Une première correction, la polarisation, élimine quelques problèmes, mais limite grandement l'ensemble des observables classiques que l'on peut quantifier. Ce mémoire n'est pas un survol complet de la quantification géométrique, et cela n'est pas son but. Il ne couvre ni la correction métaplectique, ni le noyau BKS. Il est un à-côté de lecture pour ceux qui s'introduisent à la quantification géométrique. D'une part, il introduit des concepts de géométrie différentielle pris pour acquis dans (Woodhouse [21]) et (Sniatycki [18]), i.e. G-fibrés principaux et fibrés associés. Enfin, il rajoute des détails à quelques preuves rapides données dans ces deux dernières références. / We review some differential geometric prerequisite needed for an initial approach of the geometric quantization theory, i.e. basic notions in symplectic geometry, Lie group, Lie group action, principal G-bundle, connection, associated bundle, almost-complex structure. This leads to an in-depth study of Hermitian line bundles that leads to an existence condition for a prequantum line bundle over a symplectic manifold. With these tools, we start a study of geometric quantization, step by step. We introduce the prequantization theory, which is the construction of operators associated to classical observables and construction of a Hilbert space. Some major problems arise when applying prequantization in concrete examples : the obtained operators are not exactly those expected by first quantization and the constructed Hilbert space is too big. A first correction, polarization, corrects some problems, but greatly limits the set of classical observables that we can quantize. This dissertation is not a complete survey of geometric quantization, which is not its goal. It's not covering metaplectic correction, neither BKS kernel. It's a side lecture for those introducing themselves to geometric quantization. First, it's introducing differential geometric concepts taken for granted in (Woodhouse [21]) and (Sniatycki [18]), i.e. principal G-bundles and associated bundles. Secondly, it adds details to some brisk proofs given in these two last references.

The prospects of studying multi-strange and charmed antihyperon-hyperon physics and CP violation in hyperon decays in the upcoming PANDA experiment at FAIR, Germany, have been studied in this thesis. The angular dependence on polarisation parameters in the decay of the spin 3/2 Omega hyperon was calculated using the density matrix formalism. Expressions for the angular distributions in the Ω -&gt; ΛK and the subsequent Λ -&gt; pπ decays were derived. Simulations were performed for the pbar p -&gt; Ξ+ Ξ-, pbar p -&gt; Ω+Ω- and pbar p -&gt; Λc-Λc+ reactions. Special attention was given to the reconstruction of spin variables. It is shown that PANDA will register tens of events per second for the pbar p -&gt; Ξ+Ξ- reaction. This should be compared to the previously existing data of a handfull of events. For the other two reactions the event rates will be lower, but still reasonably high. This will be the first measurements of these reactions. It is shown that spin variables can be reconstructed in all three reactions for all production angles of the hyperons. Simulations concerning the possibility to measure CP violation parameters in hyperon decays were also made for the reactions pbar p- &gt; Λbar Λ and pbar p -&gt; Ξ+Ξ-. It was found that false signals from detector asymmetries disappears if no particle identification criterium is used and the analysis is restricted to events were the hyperon decays occur close to the beam axis. The effect of the magnetic field in the PANDA detector on the measurement of hyperon spin variables was investigated for the case of pbar p -&gt; Λbar Λ. The effect was observed to be small for polarisation and negligible for spin correlations.

The use of High-Frequency (HF) radio-wave propagation in the ionosphere remains prevalent for applications such as long-range communication, target detection and commercial broadcasting. The ionosphere presents a challenging channel for radio-wave propagation as it is a varying medium dependent on a number of external factors. Of the many adverse effects of ionospheric propagation, signal fading is one of the most difficult to eliminate due to its unpredictable nature. Increase in the knowledge of how the ionospheric channel affects the propagating signals, in particular fading of the signals, will drive the continual improvements in the reliability and performance of modern wide-bandwidth HF systems. This is the underlying motivation for the study of signal fading of HF radio-waves propagating through the ionosphere, from both the theoretical and experimental perspectives, with the focus of application to modern wide bandwidth HF systems. Furthermore, it is the main objective of this investigation to address the lacking in the current literature of a simple analytical signal fading model for wideband HF systems that relates the physics of the ionospheric irregularities to the observable propagation effects due to the irregularities, and one that is verified by experimental observations. An original approach was taken in the theoretical investigation to develop an analytical model that combines the effects of signal fading and directly relating them to the ionospheric irregularities that are causing the fading. The polarisation fading model (PFM) is a combination of geometric optics, perturbation techniques and frequency offset techniques to derive expressions for the Faraday rotation of the radio-wave propagating in the ionosphere. Using the same notation as the PFM, the amplitude fading model (AFM) extends the Complex Amplitude concept using perturbation techniques and Green’s functions solution to arrive at a set of expressions that describes the focussing and defocussing effects of the wave. The PFM and AFM, together with expressions for combining the effects of multiple propagation paths, provide a simple analytic model that completely describes the fading of the signal propagating in the ionosphere. This theoretical model was implemented into an efficient ionospheric propagation simulator (IPS) from which simulations of wide bandwidth HF signals propagating through the ionosphere can be undertaken. As an example of the type of results produced by the IPS, for a typical 1200km path in the north-south direction with the ionospheric channel under the influence of a travelling ionospheric disturbance (TID), a 10 MHz radio-wave signal in one-hop path is shown to be affected by polarisation fading with fading periods in the order of minutes, and a fading bandwidth in the order of 100 kHz. Further results generated by the IPS have shown to be consistent with the results reported elsewhere in the literature. The experimental investigation involves the study of signal fading from observations of real signals propagating in the ionosphere, a major part of which is the development of a digital compact channel probe (CCP) capable of operating in dual-polarisation mode, and the characterisation of such systems to ensure that data collected are not compromised by the non-idealities of the individual devices contained within the system. The CCP was deployed in experiments to collect transmissions of HF frequency-modulated continuouswave (FMCW) radio signals from the Jindalee Over-the-Horizon radar (OTHR) in dualpolarisation. Analyses of the collected data showed the full anatomy of fading of signals propagating in the ionosphere for both horizontal and vertical polarisations, the results of which are consistent with that from the IPS and thus verifying the validity of the theoretical model of fading. Further experimental results showed that in majority of the observations polarisation fading is present but can be masked by multi-path fading, and confirming that periods of rapid signal fading are associated with rapid changes in the ionospheric channel. From the theoretical and experimental investigations, the major achievement is the successful development of an efficient propagation simulator IPS based on the simple analytical expressions derived in the PFM and AFM theoretical models of signal fading, which has produced sensible signal fading results that are verified by experimental observations. One of the many outcomes of this investigation is that polarisation diversity has the potential to bring improvements to the quality of wide-bandwidth HF signals in a fading susceptible propagation channel. The combination of an efficient propagation simulator IPS based on theoretical signal fading model and the experimental data collection by the dual-polarisation CCP is a major step in allowing one to fully understand the different aspects of fading of signals propagating in the ionosphere, which sets a solid foundation for further research into the design of wide bandwidth HF systems and the possible fading mitigation techniques. / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 2008

Benzotriazole (BTAH) has been used as a corrosion inhibitor for copper and copper-, based alloys for more than 40 years. It has been successfully employed for the, prevention of both atmospheric corrosion and particularly for the protection of, copper under immersed conditions. Whilst BTAH is an excellent inhibitor in alkaline, solution its efficiency drops off markedly as the pH decreases. It was hypothesized, that a possible way to increase surface adsorption and subsequent better inhibition, over a wide pH range might be through the preparation of derivatives, particularly, carboxybenzotriazoles and alkyl esters of these compounds. In this work the following techniques: weight loss measurements, potentiodynamic, polarisation, SERS spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and, coulometry were employed to investigate the inhibition efficiency of 4- and 5-, carboxybenzotriazole and their alkyl ester for copper corrosion. Molecular modelling, was also investigated as a tool for inhibitor design. Studies on 4- and 5- carboxybenzotriazole (CBT) showed that the inhibition, efficiency for copper corrosion in aerated acidic sulphate solution of each isomer was, pH, concentration and time dependant. At lower pH the 5-isomer is the better, inhibitor and this behaviour continues at higher pH. The anti-tarnishing test showed, that whilst both isomers exhibited these properties, 5-CBT was once again the, superior inhibitor. It was found that a commercial mixture of the octyl esters of 4- and 5-, carboxybenzotriazole inhibits copper corrosion in sulphate environments open to air., The inhibition efficiency of the ester mixture at the lx10-4 M level (pH - 0) is 98%, which compares very favourably with that for BTAH (- 50%). With respect to other, alkyl esters of 4- and 5-carboxybezotriazole, hexyl, butyl and methyl, it was found, that all of these inlibited copper corrosion in sulphate environments open to air. In, each case the inhibition efficiency is concentration, pH and time dependent. Both, coupon tests and EIS measurements indicate that inhibition efficiency depends on the, length of the alkyl chain. At pH - 0 the inhibition efficiency decreased in the order, octyl &gthexyl &gtbutyl &gtmethyl. At higher pH (- 8) the order is reversed. At the 1x104, M level (pH - 0) the inhibition efficiency of each of the alkyl esters is equal to or, better than that for BTAH. At higher pH (- 8) the inhibition efficiency in each case is, reduced in comparison to BTAH. but is still good enough for practical use ( 2 75%)., The inhibitive behaviour of the alkyl esters at low pH can be attributed to, chemisorption through an azole nitrogen of the protonated alkyl esters. The, hydrocarbon chain is also physically adsorbed and the increase in physical adsorption, as the chain is lengthened accounts for the improved inhibition efficiency. Dry films formed by immersing copper in solutions of alkyl esters of, carboxybenzotriazole also inhibit copper corrosion in both strongly acidic (pH - 0), and near neutral (pH - S) sulphate corrodents. The inhibition efficiency depends on, the solvents used to dissolve the esters, solution temperature and immersion time., Aqueous coating solutions furnish the most protective films. Films formed by, CBTAH-BU, CBTAH-HE and CBTAH-OE are more protective than that formed by, BTAH. The inhibition efficiency of the alkyl ester film increases as the alkyl chain is, made longer. Molecular modeling showed that the optimum crude binding energy (Eblnd), between each protonated ester molecule and the surface varied linearly with the alkyl, chain length. The resulting linear correlation between IE% and E bind for compounds, that are structurally similar suggested that the crude binding energy of a single, molecule with copper may be used to predict the inhibition performance of other, compounds constituting a series.

Power transformers are important and expensive elements within the electric power transmission and distribution utilities. Since these equipments are connected in series to the network, any inadvertent failures would cause catastrophic interruptions to the power supply. As such, it is extremely critical for the power transformer to operate continuously in order to maintain a reliable and efficient electricity supply. Ageing or defects in power transformer has a root in its insulation structure and this has always been a well-known fact. For many years, mineral oil impregnated cellulose paper (OIP) has been the choice of insulation for power transformers due to its excellent dielectric properties as well as its inexpensive price. During the course of operation, the dielectric properties of OIP insulation inevitably deteriorate due to singularly or a combination of stresses such as thermal, electrical, mechanical, chemical as well as environmental stresses. Degradation of power transformer insulation is an irreversible process and has been encountered by all power utilities around the world. However, replacing a power transformer simply by its age is impractical and uneconomical. With the increase in the population of ageing power transformers, there is an urgent need to evaluate the condition of transformer insulation so as to facilitate the planning for refurbishment or replacement of the equipment in a more appropriate manner. To address this issue, many techniques involving both chemical and electrical methods have been developed to monitor the insulation condition of oil-filled power transformers. However, some of these techniques are destructive by nature and some of them are unable to assess the insulation condition accurately. With the advancement in technology over the years, newer diagnostic methods in time and frequency domains have been developed in recent years to assess the insulation condition based on their dielectric responses. One of the newly developed methods is known as Frequency Domain Spectroscopy (FDS) measurement and it monitors the insulation condition by measuring the diagnostic parameters as a function of frequency ranging from 0.1mHz to 1kHz. The primary focus of this thesis is to adopt FDS technique to study the effects of several deterioration factors on the dielectric response of transformer insulation, so as to develop a better understanding between FDS technique and the condition of transformer insulation. To study the effects of moisture and temperature, FDS measurements were performed on a CIGRE model transformer at various moisture concentrations and temperature levels. From the experimental results, moisture and temperature have significant impacts on the dielectric response of transformer insulation. In addition to constant temperature, FDS measurements were also performed during transient temperature conditions to investigate the effects of transient temperature on the dielectric response of transformer insulation. An empirical relationship between the dielectric response produced from transient and steady temperature conditions was able to be established from the experimental results. A novel approach to study the effects of geometrical parameters was also part of this research work. An insulation model has been designed and fabricated for the purpose of this study. FDS measurements were conducted on the insulation model with different configurations of barriers, spacers and oil volume. The results showed that geometrical parameters did have an impact on the dielectric response of transformer insulation. The secondary diagnostic technique used in this research is Polarisation and Depolarisation Current (PDC) measurement and the purpose of using this method is to explore the feasibility of reducing the total PDC measurement duration as well as to determine the optimum measurement time for PDC.