The dominating part of the course is about properties of dielectric materials when they are used as passive electric insulation in high voltage devices. Gases, liquids and solids are covered. The nature of the dielectric response from stimulus of an electric field is discussed: polarisation and depolarisation as a relaxation process and charge transport (conduction) processes. High field effects such as charge injection and dielectric breakdown mechanisms are discussed. Space charges of importance for DC insulation. Aging phenomena and long time behaviour. Representation in time and frequency domain. Relaxation in different frequency bands. Some part is devoted to ‘sensor properties’, i.e. optical/electro-optic, ferroelectric, piezoelectric, and pyroelectric and electret properties.
FEI3230 Physics of Dielectric Insulating Materials 8.0 credits
Information per course offering
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Course syllabus as PDF
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Course syllabus FEI3230 (Spring 2019–)Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
Intended learning outcomes
After the course, the student should be able to:
describe polarisation processes with suitable relaxation functions in time domain and complex permittivity functions in frequency domain
compute the relaxation function from the complex permittivity and vice versa
identify the fundamental physical mechanism behind given relaxation/permittivity curves
explain the different mechanisms that may lead to dielectric breakdown
compute estimates of the electrical breakdown voltage from given models
describe the different aging mechanisms in electrical insulation systems
analyze the information contained in the temperature dependence of dielectric materials
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
MSc in electrical engineering, physical engineering or similar
Literature
Examination and completion
Grading scale
Examination
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Other requirements for final grade
Participated (short presentation every time) in 5 out of 6 homework problems. 5 accepted solutions (about 80% correctness) to homework problems, 60% correct on home exam.
Examiner
Ethical approach
- All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
- In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
- In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.