Characterization of Charge Traps Properties in Space Used Fluoropolymers Through Thermo-Stimulated Electrical Methods

Fluoropolymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated-ethylene-propylene (FEP), and ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) have been tested in the dedicated experimental facility SIRENE (ONERA, Toulouse, France) to perform electric analysis by a technique named thermo-stimulated-induced current (TSC) method. An experimental approach is presented in this article: the objective is to bring into evidence trap distribution and characteristics in space-used polymers by the TSC method and to get a better understanding of the physical mechanisms steering charge transport through isothermal current measurements. The extraction of the physical parameters was carried out with two methods: the initial rise method and the curve-fitting method. The implementation of these parameters in physics models developed at ONERA allows the improvement of our understanding and prediction of charging behavior and radiation-induced conductivity evolution of these polymers under space conditions.