4.27.

FREQUENCYDEPENDENCEON POLARIZATIONMECHANISM
The polarization and consequently the dielectric constant depends on
the frequency of the applied field. This phenomenon is called
dielectric dispersion.
On application of an alternating field across the material, the
polarization occurs as function of time.
The polarization P() as a function of time t is given by
Pt)= Pm[l-exp (-th,)] .. (4.31)

where P m
Maximum polarization attained in timet due to

applied field, and

, = Relaxation time for the particular polarization process.
 The relaxation time (t,) is the time taken for a polarization process.
cess to
reach 0.63 of the maximum value. The relaxation times are differe
rent
for different kinds of polarization mechanisms.
The frequency dependence of various polarization mechanisms are
given below.
1. Frequeney Effect in Electronic Polarization Process

The electronic polarization is very fast and is completed at the

instant of applying the field.
I t is an
instantaneous process.
I t is completed at very high frequencies, in the range of optical
frequencies (10° Hz). Thus it occurs at all frequencies.

2. Frequency Effect in lonic Polarization Process

The ionic polarization is comparatively a slow process.
At optical frequencies the ions are not able to reorient themselves.
So the ionic polarization does not occur at visible optical
frequencies.
I t occurs only at frequencies less than 1013 Hz.
3. Frequency Effect in Orientation Polarization Process
The orientation polarization isslower than ionic polarization.
It occurs only at electrical frequencies (audio and radio frequencies
106 Hz).
4. Frequeney Effect Space-Charge Polarization Process

The space-charge polarization is the slowest process, because tne

ions have to diffuse over several inter atomic distances.
This occurs at very low frequencies of 50-60 Hz (power
frequencies)_
Fig. 4.41 illustrates all the four types of polarization at differen

frequency ranges.
 Space-charge
Pa
Orientational Po

lonic
Pi

Electronic
W
102 10 1013 1015
10-2 1 105 1012 1016
Frequency

Electrical frequencies Optical

Power audio radio infrared visible

Frequency
(a) (b)

Fig. 4.41. Frequency dependence of dielectric polarisation

From Fig. 4.41, the following observations can be made:
and the
frequencies all the four polarizations will
occur
A t low
total polarization is very high.
At high frequencies, the value of the total polarization is very

small.

POLARIZATION
4.28. TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE OF
MECHANISMS
on the dielectric constant of a material is
The effect of temperature
summarized below.
1. The electronic polarization is independent ofthe temperature.
2. The ionic polarization is also independent of the temperature.
to the temperature.
3. Orientation polarization is inversely proportional
increases. At
Orientation polarization decreases when temperature
field
alignment of permanent dipoles along the
high temperature,
constant increases.
direction decreases. Thus the dielectric
to the temperature.
4. Space-charge polarization is directly proportional
increases with increase the temperature.
The space-charge polarization
the barrier and the ions
Because the thermal energy helps to overcome

dielectric constant.
diffuse easily. This results in decrease of
4.29. COMPARISION OF VARIOUS POLARIZATION MECHANISMS
Table 4.6 presents the summary of characteristics of various polarization

mechanisms.
Table 4.6. Comparison of various polarization mechanisms

S.No Factor Electronic Ionic Orientation Space-charge

polarization (Pe) polarization (P;) polarization (P) polarization
P
1 Definition Electron clouds Cations and Regular Ion
are shifted from anions are alignment of diffusion
nucleus shifted random takes place.
molecules takes
place
2 Examples Inert gases lonic crystals Alcohol, Semi
methane, conductors,
| CH,C1 ferrites.

3 Temperature Independent Independent Dependent Dependent

dependence (inversely (directly
proportional) proportional)
Relaxation Very fast Slow Slower Slowest
time
5 Power loSs Low High Higher Highest
Frequency 1015Hz
6 1013 Hz 106Hz 105 Hz
range
Polarisability 6-1) e a is
(c) a N
negligible
a 3KT