Reduction of the surface electric potential on Lexan and Teflon

A method of discharging the surface of insulating materials has been investigated in this research. The method described here wall minimize charging of the material during sample preparation and installation, and produce zero surface potential so that one could measure the first crossover energy point in the Secondary Electron Emission (SEE) experiment with a small error for the polymers.

Lexan and Teflon virgin samples were treated with heat, humidity and vacuum. The best results were obtained using room temperature and 50-60% humidity and resulted in zero surface potential.