Dynamic atomic-scale electron avalanche breakdown in polymer dielectrics
摘要
Breakdown strength plays a crucial role in determining the efficiency and reliability of polymer dielectrics in electric power systems. However, elucidating their multiscale breakdown mechanisms, especially at the microscopic scale, remains a fundamental challenge. Here, we develop an atomic-scale electron avalanche breakdown model, coupling carrier transport, impact ionization, and chemical bond evolution, to investigate the dynamic behaviors of electrons in breakdown process of various polymer systems. Our findings demonstrate that highly ordered crystalline phases effectively suppress electron acceleration, whereas disordered molecular chain segments within amorphous regions are more prone to inducing along-chain electron avalanches. Furthermore, we identify that carrier kinetic parameters play a decisive role in governing the dielectric breakdown strength of polymers. Building upon this insight, we evaluate polymer blends focusing on the band gap (