Radiation-Induced Conductivity of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate): Theoretical Model and its Applications

A theoretical model describing radiation-induced conductivity in polymers generally and in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) in particular and based on the multiple trapping formalism in terms of hopping conduction has been presented. The physical meanings of the main parameters used in the model are also briefly discussed. An express method to determine these parameters for PET has also been given. Experimental data relating to pulse and continuous irradiation are used to assess charging effects in thin (<10 μm) Mylar films under simulated substorm conditions at geosynchronous orbit. It has been shown that punchthrough discharges are likely to occur only in penumbra conditions at low temperatures (<−50 °C). We also discuss a tentative approach to the development of high-performance polymers as far as their photo- and radiation-induced conductivity is concerned.