Parameters influencing field enhanced ionic migration in solid dielectrics

It is well known that the presence of ions affects the rate of water tree growth in polymeric insulators. The authors have measured ion penetration into the region of tree damage using INAA and have proposed a mechanism by which this penetration may occur. The authors discuss the enhancement of ionic flux caused by the application of a divergent AC field for the particular case where the directions of the concentration and field gradients and the applied field coincide, as would be expected in many practical situations. They give particular attention to temperature dependence as there are conflicting reports about the effect of increased temperature on treeing