Universal Relaxation Law

This is an up-date of the original monograph 3Dielectric Relaxation in Solids2 by the same author which proposed for the first time the existence of a far-reaching 3universality2 of the dielectric response. The universal law is based on fractional power law frequency dependence of the real and imaginary components of the dielectric susceptibility, in total contrast to the classical Debye response. The corresponding time-domain response is likewise a fractional power law. The universal law provides a unique key to the interpretation and handling of dielectric information and has proved very useful in the analysis of experimental data. The present volume provides a rich source of experimental information illustrating all manner of situations not just in dielectric susceptibility but in mechanical properties, luminescence and photoconductivity, p-n junction devices and electrolytic conductors. Two hitherto not identified extreme forms of relaxation processes are discussed in detail: the low-loss nearly frequency-independent form and the highly lossy strongly dispersive behaviour. Experimental techniques using frequency response analysers and time-domain systems are described. It also gives the outline of some theoretical treatments leading to the universal behaviour, which is one of the remaining fundamental gaps in the theory of relaxation. This volume is essential for proper analysis of experimental data.