Influence of electron-beam irradiation on electric parameters of dielectric materials

The surface resistivity of polyethylene and Kapton samples is determined before and after irradiation with 3.5–5.5 keV electron beams for periods of up to 60 min, and the current through the samples and thus the volume resistivity is determined during and after irradiation. It is found that the surface resistivity increases due to the irradiation while the sample current decreases exponentially with irradiation time, indicating an increase of the volume resistivity.