Charge dynamics in irradiated polymers

Recent progress in the field of charge storage and charge transport in polymers irradiated with partially penetrating electron beams is discussed. The analytical model used to describe these phenomena takes the following physical parameters and processes into consideration: charge and energy deposition profiles, ohmic relaxation due to the radiation-induced conductivity, charge drift due to a finite carrier mobility, deep trapping without release, and trap filling due to a finite trap density. Experiments with the laser-induced pressure-pulse method on several high-resistivity polymers yield the location of the peak of the charge layers and their shape as function of injected charge density, time, and annealing conditions. The experimental results are interpreted with the analytical model for realistic values of the required physical parameters