Amorphous oxide semiconductor (AOS) thin-film transistors (TFTs) constitute the central theme of this thesis. Within this theme, three primary areas of focus are pursued. The first focus is the realization of a transparent three-stage ring oscillator with buffered output and an output frequency in the megahertz range. This leads to the possibility of transparent radio frequency applications, such as transparent RFID tags. At the time of its fabrication, this ring oscillator was the fastest oxide electronics ring oscillator reported, with an output frequency of 2.16 MHz, and a time delay per stage of 77 ns. The second focus is to ascertain whether a three-terminal device (i.e., a TFT) is an appropriate structure for conducting space-charge-limited-current (SCLC) measurements. It is found that it is not appropriate to use a diode-tied or gate-biased TFT configuration for conducting a SCLC assessment since square-law theory shows that transistor action alone gives rise to I proportional to V² characteristics, which can easily be mistakenly attributed to a SCLC mechanism. Instead, a floating gate TFT configuration is recommended for accomplishing SCLC assessment of AOS channel layers. The final focus of this work is to describe an assessment procedure appropriate for determining if a dielectric is suitable for use as a TFT gate insulator. This is accomplished by examining the shape of a MIM capacitor's log(J)-ξ curve, where J is the measured current density and ξ is the applied electric field. An appropriate dielectric for use as a TFT gate insulator will have a log(J)-ξ curve that expresses a clear breakover knee, indicating a high-field conduction mechanism dominated by Fowler-Nordheim tunneling. Such a dielectric produces a TFT with a minimal gate leakage which does not track with the drain current in a log(I[subscript D])-V[subscript GS] transfer curve. An inappropriate dielectric for use as a TFT gate insulator will have a log(J)-ξ curve that does not express a clear breakover knee, indicating that the dominate conduction mechanism is defect driven (i.e., pin-hole like shunt paths) and, therefore, the dielectric is leaky. It is shown that experimental log(J)-ξ leakage curves can be accurately simulated using Ohmic, space-charge-limited current (SCLC), and Fowler-Nordheim tunneling conduction mechanisms. / Graduation date: 2010

No description available.

Neste trabalho analisa-se o problema do transporte do feixe de elétrons em canhões de elétrons, estruturas periódicas de ímãs permanentes e em coletores de simples e múltiplos estágios. Essa análise é de relevância em projetos de dispositivos de micro-ondas de potência dos tipos amplicador klystron e válvula TWT. Determina-se a dinâmica das partículas a partir da solução da equação da trajetória que é derivada da força de Lorentz e da conservação de energia. A equação da trajetória obtida é diferencial de segunda ordem, não-linear e independentemente do tempo para o potencial generalizado. Utiliza-se o método de Runge-Kutta de 4a Ordem para integrar a equação da trajetória das partículas. Obtém-se o potencial escalar elétrico a partir da solução da equação de Poisson. Numericamente, obtêm-se os po- tenciais escalares elétricos e magnéticos, por meio do Método de Elementos Finitos (MEF). Ao longo do movimento de uma partícula, obtida a partir da solução da equação da trajetória, deposita-se carga elétrica. Utilizam-se macropartículas, uma vez que é praticamente impossível modelar cada partícula do problema, a partir do método Partícula na Célula (Particle in Cell - PIC). Neste caso, tem-se um problema acoplado para o potencial escalar elétrico e as trajetórias das macropartículas, uma vez que, as trajetórias das macropartículas dependem dos potenciais e estes, por sua vez, dependem das trajetórias. À convergência deste problema acoplado utiliza-se o Método das Aproximações Sucessivas (MAS). A plataforma desenvolvida, baseada nos métodos acima, compõe-se de duas ferramentas computacionais. A primeira, XMGUN, dedica-se ao projeto de: canhões de elétrons com grades e grades de sombreamento; e coletores de simples e múltiplos estágios considerando, ainda, a emissão de elétrons secundários. A segunda, XMAGUN, volta-se ao projeto de estruturas periódicas com ímãs permanentes. Afere-se o desempenho da ferramenta computacional XMGUN com o diodo plano de Pierce operando na condição em que a corrente é limitada pelas cargas espaciais. Por sua vez, verica-se o desempenho do XMAGUN por meio de simulações com estruturas do tipo PPM separadas pelo vácuo e na presença de pole pieces. Os resultados obtidos em todas as simulações convergiram satisfatoriamente para as soluções analíticas. Utilizando o XMGUN, projeta-se um canhão de elétrons com 30 kV de tensão de anodo e uma perveância de 1,37 Perv com capacidade de fornecer uma corrente elétrica de 7,1 A. Esse canhão tem uma malha com 2796 elementos e 5057 nós. As principais características geométricas do canhão de elétrons são: raio do catodo rc=14,6 mm; raio do disco do catodo rk =6,2 mm; e ângulo do eletrodo de focalização = 37. Neste caso, a velocidade transversal normalizada e o alcance do feixe zw observados são de 0,068 e 26,88 mm respectivamente. Obtém-se uma concordância superior a 93% em corrente e perveância com o EGUN. Utilizando, ainda, o XMGUN, são simulados coletores de simples e múltiplos estágios. O coletor de simples estágio apresenta 1612 nós e 2969 elementos, e o de 4 (quatro) estágios, 2496 nós e 4257 elementos. As tensões dos eletrodos do 1o, 2o, 3o e 4o estágio são de 9,45 kV, 8,65 kV, 6,45 kV e 3,45 kV respectivamente. Durante as simulações, devido à emissão de elétrons secundários, observa-se, para o coletor de simples estágio, macropartículas penetrando na região de deriva, fenômeno este indesejado, e não observado para o coletor de 4 (quatro) estágios. Considerando o XMAGUN, projeta-se um arranjo periódico com pole pieces e 5 (cinco) ímãs permanentes, capaz de fornecer um campo magnético, no centro da estrutura, de 0,42 T. Neste caso, a geometria do arranjo periódico obtida é: raio interno rm1 e externo rm2 do ímã permanente são iguais a 3,5 mm e 7,5 mm respectivamente; raio externo do pole piece r3 = 7,5 mm ; raio interno rf1 e externo rf2 da ponteira do pole piece são 1,6 mm e 3,05 mm respectivamente; espessura do ímã permanente T=2,95 mm; período magnético L =8,5 mm. A remanência do ímã permanente utilizada é de Br=0,85 T. A malha dessa estrutura periódica magnética apresenta pouco mais de 20.000 nós e 40.000 elementos. / In this paper we analyze the problem of transport of the electron beam in electron guns, periodic arrays of permanent magnets and collectors of simple and multiple stages. This analysis is of relevance in the design of power microwave devices such as klystron amplier and TWT valve. The dynamics of particles is determined from the solution of the equation of the trajectory that is derived from the Lorentz force and energy conservation law. The equation of the trajectory obtained is differential of second-order, non-linear and time independent for the generalized potential. It is used the Runge-Kutta 4th order method to integrate the equation of the trajectory of the particles. The electric scalar potential is obtained from the solution of the Poisson equation. Numerically, we obtain the electric and magnetic scalar potentials, using the Finite Element Method (FEM). Throughout the motion of a particle, obtained from the solution of the equation of the trajectory, electrical charge it is deposited. Macroparticles are used, since it is virtually impossible to model each particle of the problem, based on Particle in Cell scheme (Particle in Cell - PIC). In this case, there is a coupled problem for the electric scalar potential and the trajectories of the macroparticles, since these trajectories depend on the potential and the potential, in turn, depends on the trajectories. In order to abtain the convergence of this coupled problem, it used the Method of Successive Approximations (MSA). The platform developed, based on the above methods, consists of two computational tools. The rst, XMGUN, is dedicated to the project of: electron guns with grids and shadow-grids, and collectors of simple and multiple stages, where secondary electrons emission is considered. The second, XMAGUN, is used to the design of periodic permanent magnets structures. The XMGUN was benchmarked against the plan Pierce diode under space charge limited condiction. In turn, the XMAGUN was benchmarked against PPM like structures, separated by a vacuum and in the presence of pole pieces. The results, in all simulations, converged satisfactorily to the analytical solu- tions. Using XMGUN, it is designed an electron gun with 30 kV anode voltage, 1.37 Perv capable of supplying an electric current of 7.1 A. This gun has a mesh with 2796 elements and 5057 nodes. The main geometric characteristics of the electron gun are: cathode radius rc = 14.6 mm; cathode disc radius rk = 6.2 mm; and half cone angle = 37. In this case, the normalized transverse velocity and beam-waist distance from anode zw are 0.068 and 26.88 mm respectively. An agreement above 93% in current and perveance is found when compared with EGUN. XMGUN is also used to simulate single and multi stage collectors. The single-stage collector has 1612 nodes and 2969 elements, while the 4 (four) stages collector has 2496 nodes and 4257 we elements. The collector electrode voltages of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th stage are 9.45 kV 8.65 kV 3.45 kV 6.45 kV, respectively. During the simulations, due to yield of secondary electrons, for the single stage collector, it is observed macroparticles entering into the drift region, a phenomenon unwanted, and not observed for the 4 (four) stage collector. Whereas XMAGUN is projected at a periodic arrangement with pole pieces and 5 (ve) permanent magnets, capable of providing a magnetic eld in the center of the structure was 0.42 T. In this case, the geometry of the periodic arrangement is obtained: inner and outer radius of the permanent magnet rm1 = 3.5 mm and 7.5 mm respectively rm2 =; outer radius of the pole piece r3 = 7.5 mm, internal radius and external tip of the pole piece rf1=rf2 =1.6 mm and 3.05 mm respectively; permanent magnet thickness T = 2.95 mm magnetic period L = 8.5 mm. The remanence of the permanent magnet used is Br = 0.85 T. The net periodic structure of magnetic features little more than 20,000 nodes and 40,000 elements.

Neste trabalho estudou-se o movimento de uma carga espacial sobre uma matriz fixa, de densidade uniforme, tanto em circuito aberto como fechado. No primeiro caso, circuito aberto, a solução é quase trivial comparada com o outro caso, no qual o problema é finalmente reduzido a uma equação diferencial ordinária, com método de solução análogo ao empregado em problemas de carga espacial monopolar livre. Como ilustração, estudou-se a voltagem e a corrente produzidas por um sistema com carga total nula, mas com excessos locais de carga / In this work the motion of a space charge cloud embedded in a matrix of Constant immobile charge density is studied in open as well as in closed circuit. In the first case, open circuit, the solution is almost trivial as compared as the other one in which, after some work, the problem is reduced to an ordinary diffetential equation. The method of solution is parallel to that employed in the study of monopolar free space charge motion. The voltage and the current produced by a system with no net charge but with unbalanced local charge density were calculated using the general equations derived in the first part of the work

Neste trabalho analisa-se o problema do transporte do feixe de elétrons em canhões de elétrons, estruturas periódicas de ímãs permanentes e em coletores de simples e múltiplos estágios. Essa análise é de relevância em projetos de dispositivos de micro-ondas de potência dos tipos amplicador klystron e válvula TWT. Determina-se a dinâmica das partículas a partir da solução da equação da trajetória que é derivada da força de Lorentz e da conservação de energia. A equação da trajetória obtida é diferencial de segunda ordem, não-linear e independentemente do tempo para o potencial generalizado. Utiliza-se o método de Runge-Kutta de 4a Ordem para integrar a equação da trajetória das partículas. Obtém-se o potencial escalar elétrico a partir da solução da equação de Poisson. Numericamente, obtêm-se os po- tenciais escalares elétricos e magnéticos, por meio do Método de Elementos Finitos (MEF). Ao longo do movimento de uma partícula, obtida a partir da solução da equação da trajetória, deposita-se carga elétrica. Utilizam-se macropartículas, uma vez que é praticamente impossível modelar cada partícula do problema, a partir do método Partícula na Célula (Particle in Cell - PIC). Neste caso, tem-se um problema acoplado para o potencial escalar elétrico e as trajetórias das macropartículas, uma vez que, as trajetórias das macropartículas dependem dos potenciais e estes, por sua vez, dependem das trajetórias. À convergência deste problema acoplado utiliza-se o Método das Aproximações Sucessivas (MAS). A plataforma desenvolvida, baseada nos métodos acima, compõe-se de duas ferramentas computacionais. A primeira, XMGUN, dedica-se ao projeto de: canhões de elétrons com grades e grades de sombreamento; e coletores de simples e múltiplos estágios considerando, ainda, a emissão de elétrons secundários. A segunda, XMAGUN, volta-se ao projeto de estruturas periódicas com ímãs permanentes. Afere-se o desempenho da ferramenta computacional XMGUN com o diodo plano de Pierce operando na condição em que a corrente é limitada pelas cargas espaciais. Por sua vez, verica-se o desempenho do XMAGUN por meio de simulações com estruturas do tipo PPM separadas pelo vácuo e na presença de pole pieces. Os resultados obtidos em todas as simulações convergiram satisfatoriamente para as soluções analíticas. Utilizando o XMGUN, projeta-se um canhão de elétrons com 30 kV de tensão de anodo e uma perveância de 1,37 Perv com capacidade de fornecer uma corrente elétrica de 7,1 A. Esse canhão tem uma malha com 2796 elementos e 5057 nós. As principais características geométricas do canhão de elétrons são: raio do catodo rc=14,6 mm; raio do disco do catodo rk =6,2 mm; e ângulo do eletrodo de focalização = 37. Neste caso, a velocidade transversal normalizada e o alcance do feixe zw observados são de 0,068 e 26,88 mm respectivamente. Obtém-se uma concordância superior a 93% em corrente e perveância com o EGUN. Utilizando, ainda, o XMGUN, são simulados coletores de simples e múltiplos estágios. O coletor de simples estágio apresenta 1612 nós e 2969 elementos, e o de 4 (quatro) estágios, 2496 nós e 4257 elementos. As tensões dos eletrodos do 1o, 2o, 3o e 4o estágio são de 9,45 kV, 8,65 kV, 6,45 kV e 3,45 kV respectivamente. Durante as simulações, devido à emissão de elétrons secundários, observa-se, para o coletor de simples estágio, macropartículas penetrando na região de deriva, fenômeno este indesejado, e não observado para o coletor de 4 (quatro) estágios. Considerando o XMAGUN, projeta-se um arranjo periódico com pole pieces e 5 (cinco) ímãs permanentes, capaz de fornecer um campo magnético, no centro da estrutura, de 0,42 T. Neste caso, a geometria do arranjo periódico obtida é: raio interno rm1 e externo rm2 do ímã permanente são iguais a 3,5 mm e 7,5 mm respectivamente; raio externo do pole piece r3 = 7,5 mm ; raio interno rf1 e externo rf2 da ponteira do pole piece são 1,6 mm e 3,05 mm respectivamente; espessura do ímã permanente T=2,95 mm; período magnético L =8,5 mm. A remanência do ímã permanente utilizada é de Br=0,85 T. A malha dessa estrutura periódica magnética apresenta pouco mais de 20.000 nós e 40.000 elementos. / In this paper we analyze the problem of transport of the electron beam in electron guns, periodic arrays of permanent magnets and collectors of simple and multiple stages. This analysis is of relevance in the design of power microwave devices such as klystron amplier and TWT valve. The dynamics of particles is determined from the solution of the equation of the trajectory that is derived from the Lorentz force and energy conservation law. The equation of the trajectory obtained is differential of second-order, non-linear and time independent for the generalized potential. It is used the Runge-Kutta 4th order method to integrate the equation of the trajectory of the particles. The electric scalar potential is obtained from the solution of the Poisson equation. Numerically, we obtain the electric and magnetic scalar potentials, using the Finite Element Method (FEM). Throughout the motion of a particle, obtained from the solution of the equation of the trajectory, electrical charge it is deposited. Macroparticles are used, since it is virtually impossible to model each particle of the problem, based on Particle in Cell scheme (Particle in Cell - PIC). In this case, there is a coupled problem for the electric scalar potential and the trajectories of the macroparticles, since these trajectories depend on the potential and the potential, in turn, depends on the trajectories. In order to abtain the convergence of this coupled problem, it used the Method of Successive Approximations (MSA). The platform developed, based on the above methods, consists of two computational tools. The rst, XMGUN, is dedicated to the project of: electron guns with grids and shadow-grids, and collectors of simple and multiple stages, where secondary electrons emission is considered. The second, XMAGUN, is used to the design of periodic permanent magnets structures. The XMGUN was benchmarked against the plan Pierce diode under space charge limited condiction. In turn, the XMAGUN was benchmarked against PPM like structures, separated by a vacuum and in the presence of pole pieces. The results, in all simulations, converged satisfactorily to the analytical solu- tions. Using XMGUN, it is designed an electron gun with 30 kV anode voltage, 1.37 Perv capable of supplying an electric current of 7.1 A. This gun has a mesh with 2796 elements and 5057 nodes. The main geometric characteristics of the electron gun are: cathode radius rc = 14.6 mm; cathode disc radius rk = 6.2 mm; and half cone angle = 37. In this case, the normalized transverse velocity and beam-waist distance from anode zw are 0.068 and 26.88 mm respectively. An agreement above 93% in current and perveance is found when compared with EGUN. XMGUN is also used to simulate single and multi stage collectors. The single-stage collector has 1612 nodes and 2969 elements, while the 4 (four) stages collector has 2496 nodes and 4257 we elements. The collector electrode voltages of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th stage are 9.45 kV 8.65 kV 3.45 kV 6.45 kV, respectively. During the simulations, due to yield of secondary electrons, for the single stage collector, it is observed macroparticles entering into the drift region, a phenomenon unwanted, and not observed for the 4 (four) stage collector. Whereas XMAGUN is projected at a periodic arrangement with pole pieces and 5 (ve) permanent magnets, capable of providing a magnetic eld in the center of the structure was 0.42 T. In this case, the geometry of the periodic arrangement is obtained: inner and outer radius of the permanent magnet rm1 = 3.5 mm and 7.5 mm respectively rm2 =; outer radius of the pole piece r3 = 7.5 mm, internal radius and external tip of the pole piece rf1=rf2 =1.6 mm and 3.05 mm respectively; permanent magnet thickness T = 2.95 mm magnetic period L = 8.5 mm. The remanence of the permanent magnet used is Br = 0.85 T. The net periodic structure of magnetic features little more than 20,000 nodes and 40,000 elements.

Die heutige optische Informationsverarbeitung erfordert neue Materialien, die Licht effektiv verarbeiten, steuern und speichern können. Photorefraktive (PR) Materialien sind dafür sehr interessant. In diesen Materialien entsteht bei inhomogener Beleuchtung (z.B. mit einem Intererenzmuster) über Ladungsträgergenerierung und Einfang der Ladungsträger in Fallen ein Raumladungsfeld. Dieses wird über den elektrooptischen Effekt in eine räumliche Modulation des Brechungsindex umgesetzt. Letztendlich führt somit die inhomogene Beleuchtung eines PR-Materials zu einer räumlich variierenden Änderung des Brechungsindex. Vor ca. 10 Jahren wurde entdeckt, dass auch Polymere einen PR-Effekt aufweisen können. Die Ansprechzeit dieser Materialien wird dabei wesentlich durch die Dynamik der Ladungsträger (bestimmt durch Erzeugung, Transport, Einfang in Fallen etc.) begrenzt. Bis zu Beginn dieser Arbeit war es noch nicht gelungen, einen quantitativen Zusammenhang zwischen der Ladungsträgerdynamik und der Ansprechzeit des PR-Effekts experimentell nachzuweisen. In dieser Arbeit wird ein Weg aufgezeigt, durch photophysikalische Experimente unter verschiedenen Beleuchtungsbedingungen alle photophysikalischen Größen experimentell zu bestimmen, die den Aufbau des Raumladungsfelds in organischen photorefraktiven Materialien bestimmen. So konnte durch Experimente unter Beleuchtung mit kurzen Einzelpulsen sowohl die Beweglichkeit der freien Ladungsträger als auch die charakteristischen Parameter flacher Fallen ermittelt werden. Zur Bestimmung der Dichte tiefer Fallen wurde die Intensitätsabhängigkeit des stationären Photostroms untersucht. Durch die analytische Lösung des bestimmenden Gleichungssystems konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Sublinearität der Intensitätsabhängigkeit des Photostroms primär mit dem Verhältnis zwischen Entleerungs- und Einfangkoeffizienten tiefer Fallen korreliert. Zur unabhängigen Bestimmung des Entleerungskoeffizienten der tiefen Fallen wurden Doppelpulsexperimente mit variabler Verzögerungszeit zwischen den Pulsen verwendet. Mit den erhaltenen Parametern konnte dann das untere Limit der zum Aufbau des Raumladungsfelds notwendigen Zeit abgeschätzt werden. Diese Werte wurden mit den gemessenen photorefraktiven Ansprechzeiten verglichen. Es zeigt sich, dass weder die Photogeneration noch der Transport der Ladungsträger die Geschwindigkeit des Aufbaus des Raumladungsfeldes limitiert. Stattdessen konnte erstmals quantitativ nachgewiesen werden, dass die Dynamik des Raumladungsfelds in den hier untersuchten PR-Materialien durch das Füllen tiefer Fallen mit photogenerierten Ladungsträgern bestimmt wird. Dabei spielt das Verhältnis zwischen dem Einfang- und dem Rekombinationskoeffizienten eine wesentliche Rolle. Weiterhin wurde die Dynamik des Aufbaus des Raumladungsfelds bei unterschiedlichen Vorbeleuchtungsbedingungen quantitativ simuliert und mit den experimentellen PR-Transienten verglichen. Die gute Übereinstimmung zwischen den simulierten und gemessenen Transienten erlaubte es abschließend, die kritischen Parameter, die die Dynamik des PR-Effekts in den untersuchten Polymeren begrenzen, zu identifizieren. / The ongoing development of information processing requires new materials that are capable of effective light modulation, processing or storage. Photorefractive (PR) materials characterized by a reversible light-induced change of the refractive index have been effectively used for different optical applications. When a photorefractive medium is inhomogeneously irradiated, using for example an interference pattern, the generation, transport and trapping of the charge carriers results in the formation of a space charge field. The spatial modulation of the space charge field is transformed through the electro-optical effect into a modulation of the refractive index.<br /> While photorefractive crystals are well known since the discovery of the PR effect in 1966, the photorefractive effect in polymers has only recently been demonstrated. The flexibility of material composition and thus its parameters along with easy processability of polymer materials essentially extends the range of possible applications of photorefractive materials. The response time of PR polymers is defined by the charge carrier dynamics including generation, transport, trapping etc. But a relation between the charge carriers dynamics and the response time of PR effect has not yet been proven experimentally. In this work a method for the experimental determination of all photo-physical parameters defining the formation of the space charge field in organic photorefractive materials has been proposed for the first time. It is based on the analysis of the photocurrent measured under different irradiation conditions such as continuous and pulse irradiation with different intensities, the variation of the pulse length, the number of pulses or the delay between pulses. Thus, the irradiation with single short pulses allowed to determine the mobility of free charge carriers as well as the characteristic parameters of shallow traps. In order to determine the density of deep traps, the intensity dependence of the steady-state photocurrent was investigated. The determining system of equations was analytically solved and it has been shown that the sublinear dependence of the photocurrent on intensity is primary correlated with the ratio of detrapping and trapping coefficients for deep traps. The detrapping coefficient of deep traps was independently determined from double-pulse experiments in which the delay between two pulses was varied. The dynamics of the space charge field formation has been numerically simulated, using the obtained photophysical parameters, and proven to coincide well with the experimentally determined dynamics of the PR effect. This allowed to relate the parameters of the individual processes participating in the formation of the space charge field to the dynamics of the PR effect in the investigated polymers. These results show that neither photogeneration nor transport of the charge carriers do limit the formation of the space charge field. It is demonstrated that in the investigated PR materials the dynamics of the space charge field is limited by the filling of deep traps with the photogenerated charge carriers.

No description available.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(エネルギー科学) / 甲第24002号 / エネ博第438号 / 新制||エネ||83(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院エネルギー科学研究科エネルギー基礎科学専攻 / (主査)准教授 高井 茂臣, 教授 萩原 理加, 教授 佐川 尚 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Energy Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2010. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 139-143). Also available on the World Wide Web.

L'augmentation des besoins en énergie électrique et l'éloignement croissant des lieux de production par rapport aux centres de consommation impulsent le développement du transport d'énergie en courant continu. Dans le cas des câbles haute tension à courant continue (HTCC) à isolation polymère, la problématique de la fiabilité est liée à l'établissement, sous l'effet des fortes contraintes électrothermiques, de zones de charges électriques dans le diélectrique et au niveau des interfaces isolant/compound semi-conducteur. De telles accumulations de charges (dites charges « d'espace » car reparties dans un espace isolant) peuvent faire vieillir prématurément les isolations, voire les faire claquer de manière intempestive. La mise en œuvre de nouveaux matériaux et l’optimisation des structures isolantes pour câbles HTCC nécessitent ainsi le suivi des zones de charges d’espace avec la plus grande précision. Il est alors nécessaire de développer des techniques de mesure non destructives, telle que la méthode de l’onde thermique (MOT), basée sur l’application d’un faible échelon de température à une structure isolante et sur la mesure d’un courant transitoire provoqué par la redistribution des charges d’influence aux électrodes.Ce travail porte sur la faisabilité et la mise en œuvre expérimentale d’une installation, basée sur le principe de la MOT, visant à mesurer les charges d’espace dans des échantillons isolants comportant des couches semi-conductrices, avec une résolution la plus proche possible du degré d’homogénéité des interfaces (de l’ordre du micromètre).Après avoir passé en revue les problématiques des diélectriques soumis à des forts champs continus et les méthodes de mesure de charges d’espace existantes, le mémoire présente divers aspects et grandeurs liés au principe de la MOT, ainsi qu’à la définition et à l’estimation des résolutions spatiales. Des simulations analytiques et numériques sont par la suite menées pour étudier les apports d’une mise en œuvre de la MOT sur des structures isolantes de polyéthylène réticulé chimiquement de 100 µm d’épaisseur avec des électrodes semi-conductrices de 30 µm. Elles montrent que l’application d’échelons de température d’amplitudes n’affectant pas les états électrique et de surface des matériaux se traduit par des signaux de mesure de plusieurs nano ampères pour des variations de champ résiduel de l’ordre du kV/mm par micron. La génération de ces signaux, nécessaires à des mesures ayant une dynamique suffisante et à des résolutions s’approchant du micron, requière des échanges thermiques hautement efficaces entre la source de chaleur (liquide caloporteur) et l’isolant. Une étude par simulation multi-physique bidimensionnelle est réalisée afin d’analyser le transfert de chaleur par contact direct entre un liquide caloporteur et un échantillon-type. Elle permet de définir et d’optimiser une structure innovante de diffuseur thermique et dans laquelle l’échange de chaleur entre le fluide et l’échantillon s’opère par contact direct, assurant ainsi une efficacité bien supérieure aux structures existantes.Le développement d’un outil de mesure par la MOT, basé sur les conclusions des travaux de simulation, est par la suite présentée. Il associe un système hydropneumatique, un diffuseur haute efficacité favorisant la dynamique du transfert thermique et un système de capteurs, en augmentant ainsi l’amplitude des signaux, la reproductibilité et la précision de la mesure. Des mesures d’étalonnage sur des échantillons cibles montrent, par rapport aux résolutions disponibles sur ce type de structure (autour de 10 µm), des améliorations d’un facteur 2 à 5 pour la résolution de positionnement et une résolution de discernement proche de l’état de l’art. L’analyse critique du banc développé, corroborée aux prédictions des simulations, met également en évidence la marge de progression sensible de l’outil, dont les évolutions proposées permettront d’accroître les performances. / The increasing needs of electric power and the placement of power plants at more and more remote locations with respect to the users promote the development of electric power transport by DC submarine or terrestrial links. In the case of high voltage direct current (HVDC) cables with polymeric insulation, reliability is strongly affected by the development, under high electrical and thermal stress, of electric charges in the bulk of the dielectric and at the insulator/semiconductor interfaces. These accumulations of charges (called space charges as they are distributed in an insulating space) may lead to premature ageing and breakdown. The setup of new materials and the optimization of insulating structures for HVDC cables require a precise follow-up of the space charge zones. It is therefore necessary to develop non-destructive space charge measurement techniques, as the thermal step method (TSM), which is based on the application of a low temperature step to an insulating structure and on the measurement of a transient current due to the redistribution of influence charges at electrodes.The present work concerns the feasibility and the experimental set up of a device, based on the principle of the TSM, aiming to measure the space charges in insulating samples with semi-conducting electrodes, with a resolution approaching the degree of homogeneity of the interfaces (i.e., of micrometric order).After having reviewed the problematic of the dielectrics subjected to high dc fields and the existing space charge measurement methods, this dissertation presents several aspects and parameters related to the principle of the TSM, as well as to the definition and to the estimation of spatial resolutions. Analytical and numerical simulations are then carried out to study the contributions of a TSM-based setup on insulating structures composed of 100 µm-thick cross-linked polyethylene slabs provided with 30 µm-thick semiconducting electrodes. They show that the application of temperature steps, with amplitudes that do not affect the electrical and surface states of the materials, leads to measurement signals of several nano amperes for variations of the remnant electric field of the order of the kV/mm per micron. Highly effective thermal exchanges between the heat source (heating or coolant liquid) and the insulator are required to generate such signals, needed for measurements of sufficient dynamics and for resolutions approaching the micrometer. A bi-dimensional multi-physics simulation study is made, in order to analyze the heat transfer through a direct contact between the coolant liquid and a sample of the aimed type. The study allows to define and to optimize an innovating structure of thermal diffuser, where the heat exchanges operates by direct contact, thus providing a much better efficiency than the existing structures.The development of a TSM-based measurement tool, using the fallouts of the simulations, is then presented. It associates a hydro pneumatic system, a high efficiency diffuser favoring the dynamics of the thermal transfer and a sensor system, thus increasing the amplitude of the signals, the reproducibility and the accuracy of the measurements. Calibration measurements on the aimed samples show, with respect to the resolutions available on this type of structures (close to 10 µm), enhancements by a factor of 2 to 5 for the positioning resolution an a discerning resolution close to the state of the art. The critical analysis of the developed bench, corroborated to the predictions of the simulations, also puts into focus a significant room for improvement of the tool, for which evolutions proposed in this work would allow to enhance the performance.