Dielectric Dispersion in Materials Having a Distribution of Relaxation Times

Abstract

On the basis of considerable experimental evidence, a particular form for the dielectric loss factor, ε″, is assumed to hold for many materials exhibiting a distribution of relaxation times. The dielectric constant, ε′, corresponding to the assumed form of ε″ is then computed by means of the Kronig-Kramers relations and tabulated as a function of log frequency and of the distribution function half-width parameter, α. Using these results, experimental ε′ and ε″ curves can be easily tested for mutual consistency and can be fitted individually. In conclusion, a brief discussion of other methods of dealing with the many-relaxation-time dispersion problem is given.