This project involves the application of confocal Raman microscopy to the study of ageing effects in polymeric materials. The work involves three elements: a study of the relationships between the optical characteristics of the sample material and the confocal sampling process; the use of Raman microscopy as a analytical tool for the study of defect structures (voids, trees, corona discharge etc) in dielectrics; an investigation of the chemical changes that occur during exposure to high electric fields.