This thesis contains an experimental and theoretical study of the response of a plasma to the motion of the positive space-charge sheath which bounds it. It is known theoretically that, if a sheath edge is moved at a speed less than the speed of ion acoustic waves, a region of ion rarefaction propagates into the plasma at the ion acoustic speed. In the past, difficulty has been encountered with the theory of ion acoustic wave generation from moving sheath edges, where compressions are necessary in addition to rarefactions. The initial conditions of many previous calculations omit the formation of a steady-state presheath where ions are accelerated to form the sheath. Some calculations are described which include the effects of an initial presheath by constructing a one-dimensional plasma solution where a production term balances the losses of ions to the walls. The plasma response to the motion of one boundary is found using the method of characteristics with appropriate boundary conditions. Ion rarefaction waves are associated with expanding sheaths while ion 'enhancement' waves (compressive features) are formed on sheath collapse. In each case the wave front moves at the local ion acoustic speed which includes the effects of ion drift. The presence of the presheath is essential to the generation of enhancements. The constructional details of a multidipole device are discussed, and the results of Langmuir probe and ion acoustic wave experiments are used to determine the parameters of a quiescent argon plasma. Some experiments on moving sheaths in such a plasma are then considered. Negative voltage ramps are applied to a plate and the plasma response is measured using sampled probe techniques. As the plate-plasma voltage increases, the ion-rich sheath expands at a speed which depends on the applied voltage waveform. For sheath edge speeds less than the ion acoustic speed, an ion rarefaction wave is formed. As the voltage decreases, the sheath collapses and an ion enhancement wave propagates into the plasma. Both wavefronts are observed to move at the local ion acoustic speed which increases with distance from the plate in agreement with theory.

Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited / Child and Langmuir introduced a solution to space charge limited emission in an infinite area planar diode. The solution follows from starting with Poisson's equation, and requires solving a non-linear differential equation. This approach can also be applied to cylindrical and spherical geometries, but only for one-dimensional cases. By approaching the problem from Coulomb's law and applying the effect of an assumed charge distribution, it is possible to solve for space charge limited emission without solving a non-linear differential equation, and to limit the emission area to two-dimensional geometries. Using a Mathcad worksheet to evaluate Coulomb's law, it is possible to show correlation between the solution derived by Child and Langmuir and Coulomb's law. / Ensign, United States Navy

A irradiação de dielétricos sólidos com feixes eletrônicos tem-se revelado uma poderosa ferramenta na investigação das características de armazenamento e condução de carga elétrica nesses materiais. O presente trabalho faz urna revisão dos resultados que se tem obtido no campo, discute uma equação de transporte para carga em excesso em isolantes amorfos e aplica-la a particulares montagens experimentais. Encontra-se que os efeitos de carga espacial não são em geral importantes para pequenas penetrações do feixe na amostra, mas desempenham papel essencial no caso de elétrons quase-trespassantes. Em particular, obtém-se satisfatória concordância com os resultados experimentais de Spear (1955). / Irradiation of solid dielectric with electron beams has been used as a powerful tool in investigations of charge storage and transport in such materials. The present work reviews some of the results that have been obtained in this area and discusses the formulation of a transport equation for excess charge in irradiated insulators. This equation is subsequently applied to various experimental set-ups . It is found that space charge effects p1ay an essential role in the establishment of stationary currents in samples subject to quasi- -penetrating electron beams. Such effects may, however, be neglected for low electron ranges. Theoretical results are in good agreement with experimental findings by Spear (1955).

Este trabalho tem como finalidade usar a técnica do pulso eletroacústico (PEA) para investigar a formação de carga espacial em materiais poliméricos utilizados na isolação elétrica, tais como, polietileno de alta densidade e o XLPE e a também investigar a resposta ferroelétrica do PZT durante o processo de polarização. O método de pulso eletroacústico é baseado na propagação do sinal acústico gerado pela aplicação de um pulso de tensão elétrico de 5ns de largura. Apresentamos todas as etapas da montagem do sistema PEA, a análise do sistema elétrico e o tratamento matemático dos sinais de forma obter urna melhor resposta do sistema. Iniciamos o trabalho utilizando duas amostras de PET polarizadas previamente no triodo corona. O par de amostras carregado com a mesma polaridade foi unido pelas faces carregadas eletricamente e foi determinada a origem do sinal obtido na interface inferior amostra-eletrodo. Confrontamos os resultados experimentais obtidos no PEA (com a amostra em curto-circuito) com a análise teórica o qual nos forneceu subsídios para determinar o sinal da carga que aparece nas faces da amostra e de onde o sinal era proveniente na interface. Empregamos a mesma idéia aplicada ao PET para determinar a origem do sinal na interface PZT-eletrodo, concluímos que a origem do sinal era proveniente do material de maior impedância acústica. Investigamos com a técnica do pulso eletroacústico, originalmente desenvolvido para polímeros, o chaveamento ferroelétrico de cerâmicas ferroelétricas. Abordamos o comportamento do decaimento da polarização ferroelétrica após a remoção do campo elétrico de saturação, determinamos a curva de histerese e o perfil do campo elétrico dentro da amostra quando se aplica rampa de tensão com taxa muito baixa e admitimos que o processo era quase-estacionário. Nos polímeros utilizados na isolação elétrica investigamos a formação da carga espacial no PE e nos materiais relacionados sob alto campo elétrico e em função do tempo de polarização. / The purpose this work was using to PEA method for investigation of the ferroelectrics response in PZT and space charge formation in polymeric materials (PE, XLPE) used as electrical insulation for high voltage devices. The PEA method is based on propagation acoustic signal generated by the application of a short electric field pulse, typically 5 ns in duration. Show all the steps of the experimental set-up PEA system, analysis of the electrical system and the mathematical treatment of the signals. Start up the work with double layer PET samples previously poled in corona triode with aim of determination of the origin of the signal obtained to in the sample-lower electrode interface and the experimental results obtained to PEA satisfactorily explain the theory. Make up his mind to apply a same idea to PZT, but only one sample it was poling. From that measurements with PET and PZT, is found that the signal come from of material biggest acoustic impedance. With the PEA method, in the first place development for polymers, it was investigated the ferroelectrics ceramics: ferroelectric switching, decaying of ferroelectric polarization after removal saturation electrical field, hysteresis loop measurements and the determination of coercive field. To obtain the electrical field profile through the thickness of the ferroelectrics ceramics it was applied ramp voltage method in process steady-state (low rate). The space charge formation in polymers under high electric field and in time function was investigated.

Este trabalho tem como finalidade usar a técnica do pulso eletroacústico (PEA) para investigar a formação de carga espacial em materiais poliméricos utilizados na isolação elétrica, tais como, polietileno de alta densidade e o XLPE e a também investigar a resposta ferroelétrica do PZT durante o processo de polarização. O método de pulso eletroacústico é baseado na propagação do sinal acústico gerado pela aplicação de um pulso de tensão elétrico de 5ns de largura. Apresentamos todas as etapas da montagem do sistema PEA, a análise do sistema elétrico e o tratamento matemático dos sinais de forma obter urna melhor resposta do sistema. Iniciamos o trabalho utilizando duas amostras de PET polarizadas previamente no triodo corona. O par de amostras carregado com a mesma polaridade foi unido pelas faces carregadas eletricamente e foi determinada a origem do sinal obtido na interface inferior amostra-eletrodo. Confrontamos os resultados experimentais obtidos no PEA (com a amostra em curto-circuito) com a análise teórica o qual nos forneceu subsídios para determinar o sinal da carga que aparece nas faces da amostra e de onde o sinal era proveniente na interface. Empregamos a mesma idéia aplicada ao PET para determinar a origem do sinal na interface PZT-eletrodo, concluímos que a origem do sinal era proveniente do material de maior impedância acústica. Investigamos com a técnica do pulso eletroacústico, originalmente desenvolvido para polímeros, o chaveamento ferroelétrico de cerâmicas ferroelétricas. Abordamos o comportamento do decaimento da polarização ferroelétrica após a remoção do campo elétrico de saturação, determinamos a curva de histerese e o perfil do campo elétrico dentro da amostra quando se aplica rampa de tensão com taxa muito baixa e admitimos que o processo era quase-estacionário. Nos polímeros utilizados na isolação elétrica investigamos a formação da carga espacial no PE e nos materiais relacionados sob alto campo elétrico e em função do tempo de polarização. / The purpose this work was using to PEA method for investigation of the ferroelectrics response in PZT and space charge formation in polymeric materials (PE, XLPE) used as electrical insulation for high voltage devices. The PEA method is based on propagation acoustic signal generated by the application of a short electric field pulse, typically 5 ns in duration. Show all the steps of the experimental set-up PEA system, analysis of the electrical system and the mathematical treatment of the signals. Start up the work with double layer PET samples previously poled in corona triode with aim of determination of the origin of the signal obtained to in the sample-lower electrode interface and the experimental results obtained to PEA satisfactorily explain the theory. Make up his mind to apply a same idea to PZT, but only one sample it was poling. From that measurements with PET and PZT, is found that the signal come from of material biggest acoustic impedance. With the PEA method, in the first place development for polymers, it was investigated the ferroelectrics ceramics: ferroelectric switching, decaying of ferroelectric polarization after removal saturation electrical field, hysteresis loop measurements and the determination of coercive field. To obtain the electrical field profile through the thickness of the ferroelectrics ceramics it was applied ramp voltage method in process steady-state (low rate). The space charge formation in polymers under high electric field and in time function was investigated.

A irradiação de dielétricos sólidos com feixes eletrônicos tem-se revelado uma poderosa ferramenta na investigação das características de armazenamento e condução de carga elétrica nesses materiais. O presente trabalho faz urna revisão dos resultados que se tem obtido no campo, discute uma equação de transporte para carga em excesso em isolantes amorfos e aplica-la a particulares montagens experimentais. Encontra-se que os efeitos de carga espacial não são em geral importantes para pequenas penetrações do feixe na amostra, mas desempenham papel essencial no caso de elétrons quase-trespassantes. Em particular, obtém-se satisfatória concordância com os resultados experimentais de Spear (1955). / Irradiation of solid dielectric with electron beams has been used as a powerful tool in investigations of charge storage and transport in such materials. The present work reviews some of the results that have been obtained in this area and discusses the formulation of a transport equation for excess charge in irradiated insulators. This equation is subsequently applied to various experimental set-ups . It is found that space charge effects p1ay an essential role in the establishment of stationary currents in samples subject to quasi- -penetrating electron beams. Such effects may, however, be neglected for low electron ranges. Theoretical results are in good agreement with experimental findings by Spear (1955).

Space-charge effects play a dominant role in many areas of physics. In high-power microwave devices using high-current, relativistic electron beams, it places a limit on the amount of radiation a device can produce. Because the beam's space-charge can actually reflect a portion of the beam, the ability to accurately predict the amount of current a device can carry is needed. This current value is known as the space-charge limited current. Because of the mathematical difficulties, this limit is typically estimated from a one-dimensional theory. This work presents a two-dimensional theory for calculating an upper-bound for the space-charge limited current of relativistic electron beams propagating in grounded coaxial drift tubes. Applicable to annular beams of arbitrary radius and thickness, the theory includes the effect introduced by a finite-length drift tube of circular cross-section. Using Green's second identity, the need to solve Poisson's equation is transferred to solving a Sturm-Liouville eigenvalue problem, which is easily solved by elementary methods. In general, the resulting eigenvalue, which is required to estimate the limiting current, must be numerically determined. However, analytic expressions can be found for frequently encountered limiting cases. Space-charge effects also produce the fundamental collective behavior found in plasmas, especially in plasma sheaths. A plasma sheath is the transition region between a bulk plasma and an adjacent plasma-facing surface. The sheath controls the loss of particles from the plasma in order to maintain neutrality. Using a fully kinetic theory, the problem of a planar sheath with a single-minimum electric potential profile is investigated. Appropriate for single charge-state ions of arbitrary temperature, the theory includes the emission of warm electrons from the surface as well as a net current through the sheath and is compared to particle-in-cell simulations. Approximate expressions are developed for estimating the sheath potential as well as the transition to space-charge saturation. The case of a space-charge limited sheath is discussed and compared to the familiar Child-Langmuir law.

No description available.

<div> <div> <div> <p>Surfaces and interfaces in ionic solids play a pivotal role in defining the trans- port properties and microstructural evolution in many of the existing and emerging material applications, including energy-related systems such as fuel cells, recharge- able batteries, as well as advanced electronics such as those found in semiconducting, ferroelectric, and piezotronic applications. Here, a variational framework has been developed to understand the effects of ionic species and point defects on the structural, electrochemical and chemomechanical stability of grain boundaries in polycrystalline ceramics. The theory predicts the equilibrium and phase transition conditions of charged interfaces, and quantifies the properties induced by the broad region of electrochemical and chemomechanical influence in front of a grain boundary capable of spanning anywhere from a few angstroms to entire grains. As an example application, the microstructural mechanisms leading to the onset of the flash during electric field assisted sintering were predicted, where the experimentally observed cascading charge flow, resulting in the onset of a flash event was rationalized. Also, the model was applied to describe the effects of grain boundary drag by the interfacially accumulated ionic species and charged defects during grain growth under electrical, chemical, mechanical, or structural driving forces. Finally, abnormal grain growth in ionic solids with an emphasis on the structural and electrochemical character of the grain boundaries was demonstrated. Here, two moving grain boundary types, highly mobile and immobile interfaces are identified, resulting in three grain size populations. </p> </div> </div> </div>

Neste trabalho analisamos o movimento de carga espacial monopolar livre em dielétricos, procurando fornecer subsídios para a interpretação de resultados experimentais. São mostradas as soluções para diversos tipos de distribuições iniciais de carga. A partir daí são encontradas relações que nos levam a algumas conclusões a respeito da relação entre distribuição e corrente externa produzida. São propostos métodos para a determinação da mobilidade dos portadores de carga no dielétrico e da concavidade de uma distribuição desconhecida. Analisamos também as condições para o aparecimento de inversão de corrente / On this work, we study the monopolar space charge motion in dielectrics in the aim of providing general information about it to the experimentalist. The electric current is obtained for many initial charge distributions and some relations are derived linking the behavior of the current to the initial charge distribution. We propose methods for obtaining the mobility of the carriers from experimental results. Finally the conditions for observation of current reversals are analyzed