Fractality of Electrostatic Microdischarges on the Surface of Polymers

Abstract

Ramified Lichtenberg figures caused by electrostatic microdischarges on the surface of polymeric polyethylene terephthalate have been studied. They occurred in consequence of the previous electret forming of the polymeric sheets and were initiated in the air gap between the grounded electrode and the polymeric sheets. Multifractal image analysis was used to determine the fractal dimensions of the Lichtenberg patterns in dependence on the loading voltages used for electret forming.