Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Radiation-Induced Conductivity in Spacecraft Polymers

We have reviewed the basic results in the radiation-induced conductivity and the bulk charging of polymers obtained by our group during the past 30 years, which are mostly unknown in the West. Special attention is given to a new experimental technique extensively used in our investigations based on an electron-gun technology allowing combined induced conductivity and carrier mobility measurements. Quasi-band and hopping theories of the carrier transport are critically discussed.