Complex Dielectric Permittivity Research Articles

Optical properties of Heliconical Cholesterics: effects of losses and photonic density of states

ABSTRACT The investigation of both linear and nonlinear optical properties of Heliconical Cholesteric has been triggered by the easy tuning of the Bragg resonance that can be achieved either by low-frequency electric field or by light waves. However, in previous studies two factors that can strongly affect the optical behaviour of these materials have not been considered. The first one is absorption originated by a complex dielectric permittivity at optical frequency, the second one are the modifications of the photonic density of states incurred by electrical or optical tuning of the Bragg resonance. In this paper we report an extended work of simulations addressing the mentioned issues following the same calculation method presented in previous published papers. We report first the results of the simulations performed on the optical properties of Heliconical Cholesterics showing the effects due to isotropic and anisotropic losses comparing them to what obtained in conventional cholesteric liquid crystals. Then we focus on the photonic density of states near the Bragg resonance and show that its modification when applying increasing static or optical field must be taken into account when considering laser action based on these materials since tuning may remarkably affect the lasing threshold.

Experimental Investigations on the Electrical Conductivity and Complex Dielectric Permittivity of ZnxMn1−xFe2O4 (x = 0 and 0.4) Ferrites in a Low-Frequency Field

Two samples of ZnxMn1−xFe2O4 (x = 0, sample A; and x = 0.4, sample B) were synthesized by the hydrothermal method. From complex impedance measurements in the range 100 Hz–2 MHz and for temperatures T between 30 and 130 °C, the barrier energy between localized states ΔErelax was determined for the first time in these samples. For sample B, a single value of ΔErelax was highlighted (0.221 eV), whilst, for sample A, two values were obtained (0.012 eV and 0.283 eV, below 85 °C and above 85 °C, respectively), associated with two zones of different conductivities. Using the Mott’s VRH model and the CBH model, we determined for the first time both the bandgap energy barrier (Wm) and the hopping (crossover) frequency (ωh), at various temperatures. The results show that, for sample A, Wm has a maximum equal to 0.72 eV at a temperature between 70 and 80 °C, whilst, for sample B, Wm has a minimum equal to 0.28 eV at a temperature of 60 °C, the results being in good agreement with the temperature dependence of the static conductivity σDC(T) of the samples. By evaluating σDC and eliminating the conduction losses, we identified, using a novel approach, a dielectric relaxation phenomenon in the samples, characterized by the activation energy EA,rel. At various temperatures, we determined EA,rel, which ranged from 0.195 eV to 0.77 eV. These results are important, as understanding these electrical properties is crucial to various applications, especially in technologies where temperature variation is significant.

Molecular interaction between thiamine hydrochloride-DMSO binary mixture: a TDR spectroscopic approach

ABSTRACT The dielectric measurements of thiamine hydrochloride (vitamin B1 hydrochloride) and dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) binary mixtures have been carried out in the frequency range of 10 MHz to 50 GHz at 25°C, 20°C and 15°C using the TDR technique. The dielectric parameters such as complex dielectric permittivity ɛ*(ω), static dielectric permittivity (ɛs), relaxation time (τ), and asymmetric distribution parameter (β) are obtained by using Cole-Davidson model. These parameters are used to compute thermodynamic properties, Kirkwood correlation factor (geff), and excess molar volume (VE). The heteromolecular H-bonding existing in the binary mixture is explained.

Dielectric Characterization of H2O and CO2 Uptake by Polyethylenimine Films.

The absorption of CO2 by polyethylenimine polymer (PEI) materials is of great interest in connection with proposed carbon capture technologies, and the successful development of this technology requires testing methods quantifying the amount of CO2, H2O, and reaction byproducts under operating conditions. We anticipate that dielectric measurements have the potential for quantifying both the extent of CO2 and H2O absorption within the PEI matrix material as well as insights into subsequent reaction byproducts that can be expected to occur in the presence of moisture. The complexity of the chemistry involved in this reactive binding process clearly points to the need for the use of additional spectroscopic techniques to better resolve the multiple components involved and to validate the model-dependent findings from the dielectric measurements. Here, we employed noncontact resonant microwave cavity instrumentation operating at 7.435 GHz that allows for the precise determination of the complex dielectric permittivity of CO2 films exposed to atmospheres of controlled relative humidity (RH), and N2:CO2 compositions. We find that the addition of CO2 leads to a considerable increase in dielectric loss of the PEI film relative to loss measured in nitrogen (N2) atmosphere across the same RH range. We attribute this effect to a reaction between CO2 and PEI generating a charged dielectrically active species contributing to the dielectric loss in the presence of moisture. Possible reaction mechanisms accounting for these observations are discussed, including the formation of carbamate-ammonium pairs and ammonium cations stabilized by bicarbonate anions that have sufficient local mobility to be dielectrically active in the investigated microwave frequency range. Understanding of these reaction mechanisms and the development of tools to quantify the amount of reactive byproducts are expected to be critical for the design and optimization of carbon capture materials.

H-bonding interaction study for binary mixtures of methyl cellosolve and ethanol: a dielectric, FTIR spectroscopic and volumetric approach

The dielectric measurement of neat ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGMME), neat ethanol and their binary mixtures have been carried out using time domain technique in frequency range of 10 MHz to 50 GHz at the temperature range from 10 °C to 25 °C with a difference of 5 °C. The frequency domain technique within the frequency range of 20 Hz to 2 MHz is used to obtain complex dielectric permittivity ε*(ω), electrical modulus M*(ω), complex electrical conductivity σ*(ω) and loss tangent (tan δ) at 25 °C. The dielectric spectra obtained using TDR technique are fitted in Cole-Davidson model to extract the dielectric parameters such as static dielectric permittivity (ε s), relaxation time (τ) and asymmetric distribution parameter (β). These relaxation parameter values are used to predict intermolecular hydrogen bonding between EGMME and ethanol molecules. Furthermore, the inter-molecular interactions through H-bonding between EGMME and ethanol molecules have been confirmed and discussed using Kirkwood correlation factor, excess permittivity, thermodynamic parameter, Bruggeman factor, excess molar volume, excess dielectric permittivity at high frequency and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra.

Scanning probe microscopy and microwave phenomena in composite containing iron nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes

Epoxyamine matrix-based composites containing 15 wt% of Fe nanoparticles and 1.5 or 2 wt% of carbon nanotubes, as well as composites containing only Fe particles, have been studied using microwave methods and various scanning probe microscopy techniques, such as scanning capacitance microscopy and scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy. The composites were prepared using technological methods that improve their homogeneity. Probe current dependences investigated by applying different voltages to the probe in the Kelvin probe force microscopy mode have shown that the falling regions of the dependences at both positive and negative values of the bias voltage are found only for the sample containing both the Fe particles and the CNT in the “soft epoxy” matrix. Microwave measurements of the transmission and reflection coefficients were performed in the frequency range from 26 to 38 GHz. The field dependences of the microwave power dissipation have been plotted. The ferromagnetic resonance in the composites has been investigated. Frequency dependences of the complex dielectric permittivity of the composites have been determined. Microwave properties of the CNT-containing and CNT-free composites have been compared.

High frequency dielectric study on the hydrogen bonding interaction on 1,5-pentanediol + 1,4-dioxane binary mixtures

The complex dielectric permittivity spectra (CPS) of a binary mixture of 1,5-pentanediol (1,5-PD) with 1,4-dioxane (1,4-DX) were determined using time-domain reflectometry in the frequency range of 10 MHz to 30 GHz. The experimental CPS data were fitted to the Cole–Davidson equation using a nonlinear least squares fit method to determine the dielectric relaxation parameters. The intermolecular interactions in the binary liquids were studied through the Kirkwood correlation factor, excess parameters, thermodynamic parameters, and Bruggeman’s factor.

Non-volatile voltage-controlled magnetization in single-phase multiferroic ceramics at room temperature

Single-phase multiferroics (MFs) exhibiting ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism and the strong magnetoelectric (ME) coupling effect at room temperature are seen as key to the development of the next-generation of spintronic devices, multi-state memories, logic devices and sensors. Herein, the single-tetragonal phase (1–x) (Sr0·3Bi0·35Na0·329Li0.021)TiO3-xBiFeO3 (x = 0.2 or 0.4) system was designed to study the intrinsic ME coupling effect at room temperature and high frequencies. The polarization arises from the cooperative displacement of both Fe3+ and Ti4+ relative to the oxygen sublattice in the tetragonally distorted perovskite structure, and the magnetization stems from indirect exchange magnetic interaction between adjacent iron ions. A switchable voltage-controlled magnetization was confirmed by a change of the coercive magnetic field, Hc, and remnant magnetization, Mr, in the x = 0.4 component subjected to an external electric field at room temperature and was possibly attributed to a strain-mediated ME coupling effect. In addition, resonance behaviours of the complex magnetic permeability and complex dielectric permittivity in the GHz band indicate that this ME effect is intrinsic in nature and could broaden the applications of multiferroics to devices operating at microwave frequencies.

Combined transport and dielectric models and experimental characterization based on impedance spectroscopy for studying the microstructural and transport properties of electro-ceramic perovskites

Collective investigations on the electrical resistivity, complex dielectric permittivity, complex impedance, conductivity, and electric modulus properties of La0.55Ca0.45Mn0.8Nb0.2O3 (LCMNO) are conducted. The impedance spectroscopy (IS) technique is reviewed to examine the electrical and dielectric responses of the material according to the carrier displacement, including core-shell structure, grain boundary effects, dielectric relaxation (local relaxation), and long-range conduction (non-local relaxation). This technique can correlate the electrical and dielectric responses with the ceramics’ microstructural effects (grain boundary and grain (core-shell) zones). For LCMNO, the electrical resistivity study confirms the presence of a metal-semiconductor transition at TM-SC=66 K. It points towards a gradual crossover from the thermally activated Small Polaron Hopping (SPH) to the Variable Range Hopping (VRH) process at low temperatures and for T> TM-SC. The dielectric results confirm the presence of various types of polarization effects. The occurrence of a dipolar reorientation is attributed to long-range electrical conduction. In addition, the accumulation of the activated charge carriers increases the Maxwell-Wagner polarization resulting from an internal barrier layer capacitor (IBLC) microstructure. The electric modulus study confirms the existence of a correlation between the mobile charge carrier’s motions. From the complex impedance, dielectric, and electric modulus, it is possible to label a material’s conductive and dielectric natures (non-Debye-relaxation-type).

The Effect of Salt Concentration on Dielectric Permittivity and Interfacial Polarization in Carbonate Rocks with Complex Pore Structure

Summary Broadband dielectric dispersion measurements are attractive options for the assessment of water-filled porosity. Dielectric permittivity is influenced by salinity as well as other rock/fluid properties. However, the effect of salinity on Maxwell-Wagner polarization (i.e., interfacial polarization) and dielectric permittivity in rock samples with complex pore structures requires further investigation. The objectives of this work are (a) to perform frequency-domain dielectric permittivity numerical simulations on 3D pore-scale rock samples at different salt concentration levels, (b) to quantify the effect of salinity on dielectric permittivity and interfacial polarization in the frequency range between 20 MHz and 5 GHz, and (c) to quantify the critical frequency (i.e., the frequency at which the relative permittivity becomes frequency-independent). We first perform pore-scale frequency domain dielectric permittivity simulations in fully water-saturated carbonate samples with complex pore structures to obtain the complex dielectric permittivity in the frequency range of 0.01–5 GHz and at different salinity levels. Next, we numerically create partially water/hydrocarbon-saturated water-wet samples and perform simulations at different salinity and water saturation levels to investigate the combined effect of salinity and water saturation on dielectric permittivity. Finally, we investigate how reliable conventional mixing models, such as the complex refractive index model (CRIM) and Hanai-Bruggeman (HB), are in the assessment of water saturation at different salinity levels. We used 3D pore-scale rock samples with complex pore structures from Austin Chalk, Estaillades Limestone, and Happy Spraberry formations. The increase in salinity from 2 to 50 parts per thousand (PPT) resulted in the relative permittivity to increase by 18% at 20 MHz. Similarly, an increase in salinity from 2 PPT to 50 PPT resulted in electrical conductivity to increase by 15 times at 20 MHz. However, at 5 GHz, the difference between the relative permittivity of the samples at different salinities was negligible. We demonstrated that the critical frequency was above 1 GHz. Thus, if complex dielectric permittivity at 1 GHz is being used, an accurate salinity assumption is required in the interpretation of conventional dielectric mixture models in carbonate formations. Finally, we observed 52% and 42% average relative errors in water saturation quantification when applying CRIM and HB models at all the frequencies of interest, respectively. The results also indicated that conventional models should not be used in the presence of uncertainty in salinity at lower frequencies. The results of this work quantified the frequency at which the water-filled pore volume rather than the Maxwell-Wagner polarization controls the relative permittivity of rock samples saturated with a wide range of brine salinity. Moreover, the results demonstrated that the relative permittivity of the rock samples with complex pore structures may still be significantly affected by the interfacial polarization even at 1 GHz. Moreover, the results suggested that the conventional mixture methods cannot reliably take into account the salt concentration of formation water, and this can lead to significant errors in reserves assessment.

Complex microwave processing of high-ash brown coal in relation to the energy and metallurgical industries

Relevance. The need of the Tomsk region for valuable energy resources obtained from local low-grade resources to develop iron ore deposits available in the region and cover energy needs. Aim. To study gaseous and solid products obtained from low-grade brown coal of the Talovsky deposit (Tomsk region) under microwave pyrolysis conditions in relation to the energy and metallurgical industries. Objects. Brown coal of the Talovsky deposit (Tomsk region). Methods. Certified SS methods to determine thermal characteristics and elemental composition of coal organic and mineral parts, the "transmission-reflection" method for measuring imaginary (ε'') and real (ε') components of the complex dielectric permittivity, physical experiment, gas analysis, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method for measuring texture characteristics. Results. Brown coal of the Talovsky deposit has high values of moisture and ash contents for operating conditions, which leads to a low calorific value. Such characteristics make it possible to classify coal as a low-grade fuel, which indicates the inexpediency of its use as a raw material for the energy and metallurgical industries. Thermal processing by means of microwave pyrolysis makes it possible to obtain a high-calorie (heat of combustion over 21 MJ/m3) and environmentally friendly (hydrogen content over 29%) gaseous fuel from the low-grade brown coal of the Talovsky deposit. The resulting solid carbonaceous residue has an ash content of over 48%, which required its chemical treatment in a solution of HF and HCl. As a result of the solid carbonaceous residue treatment, its ash content decreased by more than 38%, the sulfur content – by more than 1.5 times. According to its characteristics, the resulting product corresponds to the currently available carbonaceous products – semi-coke, coke and carbon reducing agent for ferroalloy production.

Spectral Characteristics of Polarization Radiation in the Water Window Range

The high-intensity and monochromatic radiation sources in the water window spectral range are desirable for many applications. One of the potential candidates of soft X-ray sources is polarization radiation produced by a charged particle passing through a thin foil. In the soft X-ray range near the absorption edges of a target material, the real part of dielectric permittivity can exceed unity, and the Tamm–Frank criterion is fulfilled. Thus, two types of radiation are produced: transition and Cherenkov radiation. In this report, we theoretically investigated the spectral characteristics of radiation produced in both cases when the Tamm–Frank criterion is met or not met. We showed the dependences of the spectrum as a function of thickness and the incidence angle. To describe the properties of polarization radiation and the complex dielectric permittivity, the polarization current approach and Henke’s model were used, respectively.

Optical and dielectric behavior of Al/CrO3/p-Si device

In this study, dielectric chromium trioxide (CrO3) metal oxide film layer was prepared by the spin coating method on Si wafer. It was estimated the optical parameters like the absorption coefficient (α), refractive index (n), extinction coefficient (k), complex dielectric permittivity and optical conductivity (σopt) as a function of the wavelength by means of the transmittance (T) and reflectance (R) data. In addition, the dielectric behavior of Al/CrO3/p-Si device was analyzed in a large frequency region (10 kHz-1 MHz) using admittance (Y = G + iωC) spectroscopy. Dielectric characteristics including dielectric constant (ε′), dielectric loss (ε"), and loss tangent (tanδ) showed high values at small frequency part and low values at huge frequency part. Aside from that, the value of AC electrical conductivity (σac) rises with the rise in frequency as well. The results show the prepared film and device may be used in photovoltaic and electronic device applications.

Electromagnetic and microwave properties of single-layer thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR)/yttrium iron garnet (Y3Fe5O12)/magnetite (Fe3O4) composites backed by a perfect conductor

The use of a single-layer material for microwave applications continues to attract many researchers due to materials’ homogeneity in an acceptable range of thickness. This study outlines the microwave electromagnetic characteristics and interpretation of results based on a single-layer material backed by a perfect conductor. Data from three different laboratory prepared thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR)/yttrium iron garnet (Y3Fe5O12)/magnetite (Fe3O4) composites were presented. The microwave relative complex dielectric permittivity (ε r*) and magnetic permeability (µ r*) were measured using a microwave vector network analyser (MVNA) in the frequency range of 0.1846–10.0104 GHz. The specular material model backed by a perfect conductor was used to obtain the frequency-dependent reflection loss (R L) assuming a normal incident of electromagnetic (EM) wave. The real and imaginary components of ε r* (ε r′ and ε r″) and µ r* (µ r′ and µ r″) for the three samples show a similar trend of frequency dependent. TPNR/Y3Fe5O12 reflected the EM wave less when its thickness (t) equals a quarter of the propagating wavelength (λ m/4) inside the material. Interestingly, in the presence of Fe3O4, multiple minimal reflections occur at smaller thicknesses (e.g. t = λ m/32). For both cases, this is the condition where the reflected wave at the surface of the material is in a 180°-phase difference from the wave reflected earlier at the material-conductor interface. Destructive interference occurs when these two waves meet and is visualized as the dip on the reflection loss (R L) vs. frequency plot. The number of dips increases with thickness. The lowest frequency dip occurs at a lower frequency for a thicker material. For TPNR/Y3Fe5O12/Fe3O4 and TPNR/Fe3O4, as the material gets thicker, the high-frequency dips on the R L plot become smaller and the use of the material in microwave application is no longer practical due to the increase in its weight and a smaller reflection loss.

Exploiting the Coupling Variation of 3-D-Printed Cavity Filters for Complex Dielectric Permittivity Sensing

Exploiting the Coupling Variation of 3-D-Printed Cavity Filters for Complex Dielectric Permittivity Sensing

The Effect of Dielectric Relaxation Processes on the Complex Dielectric Permittivity of Soils at Frequencies From 10 kHz to 8 GHz—Part II: Broadband Analysis

The Effect of Dielectric Relaxation Processes on the Complex Dielectric Permittivity of Soils at Frequencies From 10 kHz to 8 GHz—Part II: Broadband Analysis

Hydrogen-bonded liquid crystal complexes: A comprehensive study of structure, behaviour and potential applications

Intermolecular hydrogen bond (HB) interaction becomes an intensively studied topic in supramolecular chemistry and soft matter science. Herein, a new series of hydrogen-bonded liquid crystals (HBLCs) composed of 3-flurobenzoic acid derivatives (nOBAF) and 1,4-diazabicyclo [2.2.2] octane (DABCO) has been prepared and characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The thermal behavior was determined by differential scanning calorimetry and observed by polarized optical microscopy. All complexes were found to exhibit smectic G (SmG) and smectic B (SmB) phases over a wide temperature range. Furthermore, it was found that the thermal stability of these mesophases increases with increasing the alkoxy chain length. The complex dielectric permittivity was reported as a function of frequency in the range 1 Hz–10 MHz. Lower frequency process attributed to the collective fluctuations of azimuthal angle and higher frequencies, associated to the soft mode were observed in SmB. In the SmG, additional to the soft mode (106 Hz) a higher frequency mode (105 Hz) was detected for the first time. The experimental results obtained for these complexes were correlated with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Furthermore, these results suggest that nOBAF/DABCO has the potential to be switchable dielectric materials.

A New Numerical Simulation Framework to Model the Electric Interfacial Polarization Effects and Corresponding Impacts on Complex Dielectric Permittivity Measurements in Sedimentary Rocks

A New Numerical Simulation Framework to Model the Electric Interfacial Polarization Effects and Corresponding Impacts on Complex Dielectric Permittivity Measurements in Sedimentary Rocks

The complex magnetic and dielectric properties of bi-dispersed magnetic fluids

The bi-dispersed magnetic fluids are prepared by dispersing commercially purchased micron-sized iron (III) oxide particles (Fe2O3) (<5µm) in the laboratory-prepared kerosene-based magnetic nanofluid (Fe3O4 nanoparticles in kerosene). The magnetic and dielectric properties, complex magnetic permeability (μ*), and complex dielectric permittivity (ε*), of the bi-dispersed magnetic fluids, are studied as a function of frequency, concentration of micron-sized particles and time, in the broad frequency range (0.3 MHz to 3 GHz). It is shown that energy absorption occurs due to the phenomena called magnetic relaxation and ferromagnetic resonance. The energy absorption is enhanced in the fluid due to the presence of micron-sized particles. As time progresses, these properties get modified significantly. The magnetic and dielectric properties of bi-dispersed magnetic fluids deteriorate with time. This is attributed to the occurrence of sedimentation with time in the bi-dispersed magnetic fluids. The occurrence of sedimentation is confirmed by a simple inductance-based experimental technique. The magnetic and dielectric properties at high frequencies are sensitive to the occurrence of sedimentation in the fluid.

Critical Insight into Pretransitional Behavior and Dielectric Tunability of Relaxor Ceramics.

This model discussion focuses on links between the unique properties of relaxor ceramics and the basics of Critical Phenomena Physics and Glass Transition Physics. It indicates the significance of uniaxiality for the appearance of mean-field type features near the paraelectric-to-ferroelectric phase transition. Pretransitional fluctuations, that are increasing up to the size of a grain and leading to inter-grain, random, local electric fields are responsible for relaxor ceramics characteristics. Their impact yields the pseudospinodal behavior associated with "weakly discontinuous" local phase transitions. The emerging model redefines the meaning of the Burns temperature and polar nanoregions (PNRs). It offers a coherent explanation of "dielectric constant" changes with the "diffused maximum" near the paraelectric-to-ferroelectric transition, the sensitivity to moderate electric fields (tunability), and the "glassy" dynamics. These considerations are challenged by the experimental results of complex dielectric permittivity studies in a Ba0.65Sr0.35TiO3 relaxor ceramic, covering ca. 250 K, from the paraelectric to the "deep" ferroelectric phase. The distortion-sensitive and derivative-based analysis in the paraelectric phase and the surrounding paraelectric-to-ferroelectric transition reveal a preference for the exponential scaling pattern for ε(T) changes. This may suggest that Griffith-phase behavior is associated with mean-field criticality disturbed by random local impacts. The preference for the universalistic "critical & activated" evolution of the primary relaxation time is shown for dynamics. The discussion is supplemented by a coupled energy loss analysis. The electric field-related tunability studies lead to scaling relationships describing their temperature changes.