Time development of multiple polarization zones in PVDF

Abstract

The polarization distribution in PVDF which causes the piezo- and pyroelectricity of this polymer depends strongly on the polarization distribution. Applying an electric field of E = 60M/m causes a ca. 10μm thick polarization zone in the middle of the sample. Applying the same field in opposite direction a bimorph structure results. If the same field is applied to a homogeneously prepolarized PVDF sample a trimorph structure is formed with three polarization zones under field. But under short circuit conditions the polarization zone in the new field direction vanishes. The polarization distribution is measured with the acoustic PPS method with a spatial resolution of about 2μm.