SPATIAL DISTRIBUTIONS OF POLARIZATION AND SPACE CHARGES IN POLYMERS.

Several different approaches have been used in the development of techniques for analysis of either polarization or space charge distributions. An especially promising one is to use a nonuniformly distributed driving force to elicit an electrical response from the electret. For example, a nonuniformly distributed mechanical force, such as a pressure, will interact with the spatially distributed polarization or space charge to produce a piezoelectric response. The use of a nonuniformly distributed temperature (thermal force) was developed extensively by Collins and implemented by Mopsik and De Reggi. We have developed a new method based on the use of a nonuniformly distributed thermal force, the Laser Intensity Modulation Method (LIMM). This technique has advantages in ease of use, flexibility, scope and quality of results.