Use of Sobol indexes for efficient parameter estimation in a charge transport model

This article reports on a parameter sensitivity analysis on a mathematical model for the charge transport in dielectrics, using the Sobol sensitivity method. The main point of the work is to perform a sensitivity analysis under the variation of the impacting experimental factors such as the temperature, the applied electric field, and the charging time. Useful indications were obtained on which variables contribute the most to the variability of the output and which variables can be neglected. A quantitative assistance is derived from these results. Indeed, this study helps in revealing the experimental conditions where the model becomes sensitive to particular variables. Then, the sensitivity analysis results are used to determine the best starting points for optimization process in order to precisely and rapidly estimate each model parameter.