Treatment of data in step-response dielectric relaxation measurements

Abstract

We report a satisfactory method for the direct conversion of step-response (transient) data (such as is obtained from the rate of discharge of a capacitor) into the frequency dependence of the complex relative permittivity. This computer-based method has no a-priori restriction on the shape of the loss peak or functional dependence of the decay response. In this it differs from a number of approaches described in the literature.^1–4 The method herein described is compared to such other techniques for converting step-response data, and assessed in relation to the predicted behaviour for single and unresolved double Debye relaxations. The dielectric relaxation behaviour of a sample of poly(vinyl acetate) is also investigated using the described method of data analysis.