Electrical Noise Pulses from Polarized Dielectrics

Abstract

Electrical noise pulses have been observed at elevated temperatures in polarized dielectrics (electrets) made of carnauba wax and of a vinyl acetate polymer. Pulse rate versus time was observed for electrets heated at a uniform rate and the results differ from those previously reported by others. Experiments devised to determine the origin of the pulses indicate that they are associated with the decay of volume polarization rather than with real surface charge. The total charge associated with the pulses from carnauba wax electrets is at least 5 percent of the maximum electret charge.