The Structure of Incomplete Destructive Breakdown Spots in Thin Polymer Films

Experimental observations are given on the structure of breakdown spots in thin layers of polystyrene and polybenzene obtained by a glow discharge technique. The levels of energy associated with different types of breakdown are identified and it is shown that within the range of breakdown energy level, lower than 10 -5 joules, non-destructive breakdown takes place. At higher energies, partial destruction of the breakdown channel occurs and with energy levels greater than 5 × 10 -3 joules, single hole, self-healing breakdown with complete destruction of the inner morphological channel structure occurs. The nature of the breakdown is discussed in electrical and electronmicroscopy terms.