This article is cited in 5 papers

Nonlinear response and two stable electroconducting states in transparent plasticized PVC films

D. V. Vlasov, L. A. Apresyan, T. V. Vlasova, V. I. Kryshtob

Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow

Abstract: The electric conductivity of transparent plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films with thicknesses about 30–50 $\mu$m has been studied in electric fields with strengths significantly below the breakdown level. It is established that the PVC films exhibit spontaneous reversible transitions between two stable states–with high and relatively low conductivities, in which the bulk resistivity amounts to $\sim$10$^3$ and 10$^6$ $\Omega$ m, respectively. Relaxation current-voltage characteristics have been measured in a continuous regime, which allowed the Debye relaxation processes to be taken into consideration and effects related to the nonlinearity and transitions between indicated states to be separated. A regime with deterministic switching between the two conducting states has been observed. A simple qualitative model that describes the anomalous character of conductivity in polymer films is proposed.

Received: 21.04.2010

 English version: Technical Physics Letters, 2010, 36:10, 923–925

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