Study of static electricity using the laser-induced pressure pulse method

Abstract

Laser-induced pressure wave propagation has been used to measure the space chargedistribution in solid insulators for the past 20 years. This method, using an inducedpressure pulse as a virtual probe, has also been proposed to detect surface charges.Nevertheless, too few works have been performed and published using this method. In thisnote, the theoretical basis of the calculation necessary to perform these measurements is setout and some examples focused on the study of static electricity are given. The reliabilityand the advantages of this method are detailed, and theoretical relationshipshave been rewritten to give an idea of the penetration depth of surface charges.