The modulus of dielectric and conductive materials and its modification by high electric fields

An alternative to measuring dielectric polarization or conductivity in the time domain under the usual constant field conditions is to record the voltage at constant charge. In this case the voltage is proportional to the dielectric modulus M(t), defined in the frequency domain via M*(ω)=1/ε*(ω). The method allows the measurement of dynamics at extremely long times, while electrode polarization (EP) effects remain small in M(t) signals. Dielectric hole-burning on vitreous ionic conductors and the elimination of EP can be achieved by combining the modulus technique with a preceeding high sinusoidal electric field.