Assignment of electroluminescence spectral components to molecular transitions in polyethylene 2,6 naphthalate

Wear-out and breakdown of polymers used as insulating materials are closely related to the dissipation of electrostatic energy in space charge regions. A fraction of this energy is radiated off by electroluminescence (EL) which can be considered as a pre-breakdown warning and provides a probe to investigate the mechanisms leading to structural degradation. Identification of the molecular transitions involved in EL is important from both scientific understanding and technical achievement. The nature of the luminescent centres is studied in poly (ethylene 2,6-naphthalate). The discussion relies on the acquisition of electroluminescence and photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and the investigation of the field effect on photoluminescence