Theory 11/Dielectric Physics
Breakdown Is a Free-Volume Ratio
The claim
Dielectric breakdown strength is set by the ratio of free volume to trap density rather than by trap density alone, so a looser polymer with more traps can be stronger.
01The mechanism
Breakdown requires a path of connected free volume; traps remove energy from growing avalanches, and the ratio sets whether the path percolates before energy is absorbed.
02Predictions
- P1Strength should track the ratio.
- P2Trap density alone should mispredict.
03Refutation
Strength tracking trap density would remove the free-volume term.