High Voltage Insulation and Gas Absorption of Polymers in High Pressure Argon and Xenon Gases

TL;DR

This study investigates how various polymers used in high pressure noble gas detectors absorb gases, swell, and behave electrically, providing essential data for designing larger, more reliable high voltage systems in particle physics experiments.

Contribution

It offers new insights into the mechanical and electrical properties of polymers in high pressure Argon and Xenon, aiding material selection for high voltage insulation in large-scale detectors.

Findings

Polymers exhibit varying absorption and swelling in high pressure gases.

Electrical insulation strength differs among polymers in Argon and Xenon.

Material behavior impacts the design of high voltage components in HPGTPCs.

Abstract

High pressure gas time projection chambers (HPGTPCs) are made with a variety of materials, many of which have not been well characterized in high pressure noble gas environments. As HPGTPCs are scaled up in size toward ton-scale detectors, assemblies become larger and more complex, creating a need for detailed understanding of how structural supports and high voltage insulators behave. This includes the identification of materials with predictable mechanical properties and without surface charge accumulation that may lead to field deformation or sparking. This paper explores the mechanical and electrical effects of high pressure gas environments on insulating polymers PTFE, HDPE, PEEK, POM and UHMW in Argon and Xenon, including studying absorption, swelling and high voltage insulation strength.