Progress and Prospects in PEA Space Charge Measurement Techniques - [Feature Article]

Space charge measurements using electro-acoustic techniques have dramatically improved in the past 20 years. They have revealed many interesting phenomena in dielectrics. The author believes that the technique is progressing continuously, and that the progress expands the range of applications and raises new topics in research on dielectrics. To make the PEA method more acceptable, it could be high time to discuss measurement protocols, including a standard material for evaluation of systems. Editing a good practice guide will be helpful to users who are not familiar with acoustic physics. Then, it is essential for users to discuss space charge behavior in dielectrics not only by using space charge profiles by electro-acoustic techniques, but with additional evidence obtained by other techniques and chemical information of materials under test. Especially, the simultaneous measurement of space charge, temperature, luminescence, and other possible physical values will definitely help our understanding of dynamic phenomena in solid dielectrics.