A recurrent problem in high-voltage engineering is the measurement of the e
lectric stress inside a solid dielectric subjected to high voltages. The el
ectric stress distribution can be modified if space charge is present in th
e dielectric. The space charge can modify the local electric stress that ma
y have an effect on the performance of the material. Therefore, the design,
longevity, and performance of dielectrics, used as either electrets or ins
ulators, depend on the space charge and the electric stress within them. He
re a non-destructive experimental technique is considered which gives space
charge and electric stress distributions inside dielectric samples by usin
g acoustic pulses. However, it is realised that the technique does not give
a true representation of the space charge when dispersive materials are co
nsidered. This paper presents a frequency domain algorithm giving an accura
te space charge distribution enabling the method to be applied to either di
spersive ol non-dispersive dielectric materials. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science
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