Post-electronic irradiation measurements on polymeric films by 3D-PEA system

Polymeric films are often used in spacecraft industry. Due to their nature, once in space they got charged and electrostatic discharge phenomena might occur. In order to study the material behavior under irradiation various tools such as surface potential probe, Pulse electro-Acoustic (PEA) device...etc, and different measurements configurations have been tested. In this paper, we are studying the space charge distribution in samples that are partly metallized on their surface, this coated part being connected to earth during the irradiation. The charge profile is recorded in-situ by the PEA method that has been adapted to work under such conditions. After a quasi mono-energetic electronic irradiation has been performed, samples were removed form the chamber and additional measurements were made by the classical PEA system and 3D-PEA set-up in the air.