DIELECTRIC MATERIALS

Sources of Polarizability

Space-charge Polarizability
Space-charge Polarization occurs due to the accumulation of charges at the electrodes or at the interface in a multiphase material. The ion diffuse over appreciable distances in response to the applied field, giving rise to redistribution of charges in the dielectric medium.

Sources of Polarizability
1. Elemental Dielectrics have single type of atoms such as diamond, sulphur, germanium etc. Such dielectrics exhibit only Electronic Polarization. 2. Ionic Nonpolar Dielectrics exhibits Electronic and Ionic polarization. Ex- NaCl, KCl, LiF, KBr. 3. Polar Dielectrics exhibits Electronic, Ionic and orientational polarization. Ex-BaTiO3.

Sources of Polarizability

Molar Polarizability

Molar Polarizability

Clausius-Mosotti Relation

Frequency dependence of Dielectric Constant

On application of an electric field, a polarization process occurs as a function of time. The polarization P(t) as a function of time t,

P(t)=P [ 1- Exp(-t / tr)]

where P is the maximum polarization attained on prolonged application of a static field and tr is the relaxation time for the particulat polarisation process. The ralaxation time tr is a measure of time scale of a polarization process. It is the time taken for a polarisation process to reach 0.63 of the maximum value. This varies widely for different polarization process.
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Frequency dependence of Dielectric Constant

1013

1015

Frequency of applied field

Electronic Polarization is extremely rapid. Even when the frequency of the applied voltage is very high in the optical range (~1015 Hz), electronic polarization occurs during every cycle of the applied voltage. At optical frequency, electronic polarization alone is present.
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Frequency dependence of Dielectric Constant

1013

1015

Frequency of applied field

Ionic Polarization involves the displacement of ions which are heavier than electron cloud. The time taken for displacement will be higher. The frequency with which ions are displaced is of the same order of the lattice vibration frequency (~1013Hz). At optical frequency there is no ionic polarization. At 1013 Hz, both electronic and ionic polarization will be present
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Frequency dependence of Dielectric Constant

102

1010

1013

1015

Frequency of applied field

Orientational Polarization is even slower than ionic polarization. Orientational polarization occurs, when the frequency of the applied voltage is in the audio range.

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Frequency dependence of Dielectric Constant

102

1010

1013

1015

Frequency of applied field

Space charge polarization is the slowest process, as it involves the diffusion of ions over several interatomic distances. It occurs at power frequencies (50-60 Hz).

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Problems

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