Complex permittivity measurements and mixing laws of porous alumina

Abstract

The dependence of the permittivity of porous alumina on the microstructure was studied. Three different algebraic mixing laws inaccurately predicted the measured effective permittivity of the three-phase material, which was alumina, air, and water. Finite-difference electrostatic simulations of physically realistic microstructures accurately predicted the experimental results. The electrostatic simulations also provided physical insight into the arrangement of water in the material and its significant effect on the effective permittivity.