Linear Irreversible Phenomenological Thermodynamics of Polarization Processes in Rigid Unmagnetic Insulators

Abstract

AbstractWe show how classical irreversible thermodynamics is used to derive relaxation equations for dielectric polarization processes in insulators. We calculate susceptibilities for multiple polarization processes and show how coupling arises thermodynamically. Furthermore, we derive evolution equations for electromagnetic fields by combining the dielectric relaxation equations with Maxwell’s equations. Analytical solutions for various frequency regimes will be briefly discussed. A complete analogy exists between the dielectric problem, the Kelvin–Voigt viscoelasticity of solid media, and the non-equilibrium (reactive, vibrational) gasdynamic flow. Also, numerical solutions, using the method of characteristics, are given for a generic signal problem in half-space.