Dielectrics are insulating or non-conducting ceramic materials and are used in many applications such as capacitors, memories, sensors and actuators. For the sake of simplicity, we can assume that there is no long range moment of charges. First we will look the simple properties of dielectric materials such as dipole moment, polarization, susceptibility, polarizability and polarization mechanisms. Then we will do analytical treatment of polarizabilities for each of the polarization mechanisms to understand the meaning of these polarizabilities. Subsequently, we will do detailed analysis of dielectric properties for each of the polarization mechanisms under the influence of alternating field, important from the point of understanding the behaviour of these materials in real conditions. Finally, we will look at the breakdown mechanisms which lead to failure of dielectric materials.

The Module contains

Suggested Reading:

• Principles of Electronic Ceramics, by L. L. Hench and J. K. West, Wiley

• Dielectrics and Waves, by Arthur R. von Hippel, John Wiley and Sons Inc.

• Electroceramics: Materials, Properties, Applications, by A. J. Moulson and J. M. Herbert, Wiley