Space charge and polarization profiles determination in thin polymer insulators by FLIMM

In this work, the Focused Laser-Intensity Modulation Method (FLIMM) is used as a technique for space charge and polarization profiles determination in thin (up to 100 /spl mu/m) polymer layers. This well-known technique is here applied to the study of an electrode-charged polyethylene (PE) and a corona-poled Poly(vinylidene Fluoride) (PVDF) sample. The experimental set-up is first described, and theoretical aspects of LIMM fundamentals are reminded. Then, difficulties encountered during LIMM pyroelectric current deconvolution are discussed, and space charge and polarization profiles are shown.