Ionization Radiation Effects in Insulators and Insulating Parts

摘要

A general tutorial discussion of ionization effects in insulators can be used to predict order-of-magnitude effects in capacitors and other electronic parts using insulator materials. The relevant phenomena are: (1) conduction within the insulator, (2) charge transfer to or from the insulator, and (3) conduction through ionized air around the insulator. Conduction within the insulator is most important in high-value (greater than 0.01 microfarad) capacitors. Charge transfer predominates in coaxial cables and in low-value capacitors, standoff insulators, and resistors which are in vacuum or properly potted, although conduction around these components through ionized air is the most serious perturbation if precautions are not taken. Space charges affect reproducibility of response and are particularly serious in insulating films on active devices, such as MOS transistors. Using the available data on radiation effects in insulators, order-of-magnitude estimates of the response of insulating parts can be made. (Author)