Conduction and polarization mechanisms and trends in dielectric

Abstract

This article discusses the theoretically deduced mechanisms for the magnitude and the trends of conduction and polarization in electrical insulation (dielectrics) with molecular and physical structure, frequency, and temperature. The discussion intends to explain the atomic, electronic, molecular, and ionic basis for these electrical properties, so that the reader can better understand why dielectrics behave the way they do. Application of these principles should also guide the reader to make estimates or rough predictions of conductivity and dielectric constant levels, and their variations, from an examination of the molecular/atomic composition of a material. Most of the discussion is more directly applicable to the condensed phases, solids and liquids. Gases, in principle, behave the same, but they have important differences because of their very much lower density and lack of restraint to molecular rotation and translation. An overriding factor in the magnitude of conduction and polarization is the number density of the participating species: electrons, ions, or dipolar molecules