Ferroelectric Polymers
Investigations of the basic properties of ferroelectric polymers are in progress. Current areas of interest are in the mechanisms of polarisation reversal in these materials and the interactions of dipolar and space charges. Electrical properties are measured by dielectric spectroscopy and hysteresis loop measurement. In addition polarisation distributions are measured by the Laser Induced Modulation Method (LIMM). Pyroelectric and piezoelectric coefficients in both commercial films and in spun-cast, sub-micron films have been measured. Pyroelectric coefficients are measured by conventional methods, while the piezoelectric coefficients have been measured by interferometry.
Our current major interest is in the electro-optic and non-linear otic properties of these materials and of other polymeric systems. The effect of radiation on the optical properties is currently being investigated.
Recent Publications:
A. Limbong and I. L. Guy Pyroelectric hysteresis in PVDF homo-, 65/35 and 75/25 -P(VDF/TrFE) co-polymers Thin Solid Films, 325, 187-191 (1998)
Z. Zheng, I. L. Guy and T. L. Tansley Piezoelectric coefficients of thin polymer films measured by interferometry. J. of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 9, 69-73 (1998).
A. Limbong, I. Guy, Z. Zheng, Afifuddin and T. Tansley, Properties of Thin Ferroelectric Polymer Films, Ferroelectrics 230, 61-66 (1999)
I. L. Guy, A. Limbong, Z. Zheng and D. K. Das-Gupta, Polarization Fatigue in Ferroelectric Polymers, IEEE Trans. on Diel. Elec. Ins. 7, 489-492 (2000)