Electric-Field-Induced Hopping Conductivity in Polymers

Authors

Jerilyn Brunson, Utah State University
John R. Dennison, Utah State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Conference Paper

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Bulletin of the American Physical Society

Volume

52

Publication Date

2007

Abstract

The resistivity of highly insulating polymers exhibits a dependence on electric field strength. Mott and Davis as well as Poole and Frankle describe theoretically the resistivity of disordered semiconductors, when subject to a changing electric field, in terms of hopping conductivity models. Although such models have often been applied to polymers, there is little direct experimental evidence to confirm the validity of these theories when applied to polymers. We present such results for a newly-developed block co-polymer Hytrel, a highly insulating material. The constant voltage resistivity test method has been used to study Hytrel for a range of electric fields approaching electrostatic breakdown. Previously taken preliminary measurements are suggestive that Hytrel validates hopping conductivity models. With additional data we consider whether the Hytrel results are consistent with existing models of electric-field induced hopping conductivity.

Comments

Bull. Am. Phys. Soc. 52(1) Part II, (2007). American Physical Society March Meeting 2007, March 5-9, 2007, Denver,CO..

Recommended Citation

S. R. Hart, J. Brunson, and JR Dennison, “Electric-Field-Induced Hopping Conductivity in Polymers,” Bull. Am. Phys. Soc. 52(1) Part II, (2007). American Physical Society March Meeting 2007, March 5-9, 2007, Denver,CO.