Energy criterion in the interpretation of dielectric relaxation

Abstract

The “universal” fractional-power-law frequency dependence of relaxation seen in most solid dielectrics has the unique property that the ratio of macroscopic energy lost per radian to energy stored is independent of frequency. In a recent publication we have shown that this “energy criterion” is satisfied if the energy loss δ in every microscopic dipolar reversal is independent of the rate of reversals. The present paper derives for the first time a quantitative relationship between the macroscopic energy loss per radian and the microscopic loss δ, thus providing a justification of the energy criterion approach. The relationship between this new frequency-domain interpretation of relaxation processes and the currently accepted theories of universal behaviour is discussed.