Project Lunkenheimer/Loidl (Augsburg)

Investigation of nonlinear effects in glassy matter using dielectric methods

Summary

In this project, dielectric methods will be used for the investigation of nonlinear effects by performing dielectric spectroscopy in dependence of the electric field and by determining the higher harmonic terms of the dielectric susceptibility. These methods shall be applied to dipolar and ionically conducting structural glass formers and also on plastic crystals. One of the main tasks is to address the non-linear behavior of excess wing and β-relaxation, aiming at clarifying their origins by comparison with the structural α-process. Another important goal is the search for signs of a static freezing transition by exploring the temperature dependence of the non-linear susceptibility. In addition, the non-linear ionic charge transport in glass formers shall be investigated and related to theoretical predictions. The non-linearity of glassy matter will also be explored in additional experiments, where disordered matter is driven into the non-linear regime either by subjecting them to strong temperature jumps or ultrahigh pressures.