Investigation of surface charging mechanisms of dielectric materials used in space environments through a combined experimental and computational approach
Abstract
The materials employed on the exterior surfaces of spacecraft are subjected to various environmental hazards, which can lead to their deterioration. During the spacecraft s traversal through space plasma and high-energy particle environments, energetic electrons can penetrate spacecraft shielding and deposit charge in dielectric materials within the craft. If the rate of charge deposition exceeds the leakage current, electric fields will gradually build up until they surpass the breakdown threshold, potentially causing adverse effects such as subsystem disruption or damage. Dielectric materials used in space exhibit distinct behavior due to the influence of high-energy particles traversing through the material, which impact their electric properties through ionization and aging processes, such as increased conductivity of polymers under irradiation. Degradation of dielectric materials in space and its effect on electrical properties have previously been reported. However, the exact molecular mechanisms behind the charging and discharging behavior of these materials remain unclear. This project aims to bridge this gap by combining computational and experimental approaches. In the experimental part of the project, various commonly used dielectric materials will be exposed to degradation processes (e.g., O2 plasma, UV treatment, heat treatment) followed by electron irradiation, and the effects of material degradation on the charging-discharging behavior will be investigated. The results of the experiments will be used to support and validate computational computations based on quantum chemical simulations, and wave function calculations of the materials. Using wave function analyses at the atomistic level, we will develop a model that describes the interplay between the molecular structure of high-performance dielectrics and their charging-discharging behaviors. By comprehending dielectric degradation and charge accumulation under electron irradiation, improved dielectrics capable of withstanding the space environment can be designed more effectively.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 06, 2025
- Source ID
- FA95502410192
Entities
People
- Ongun Ozcelik
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Sabancı University
- United States Air Force