Journal of the American Ceramic Society, Vol.89, No.1, 241-246, 2006
Dielectric loss spectrum of ceramic MgTiO3 investigated by AC impedance and microwave resonator measurements
MgTiO3 ceramic was selected as a model material of the microwave dielectric ceramics for the investigation of the dielectric loss spectrum. Conductivity spectra in the low-frequency range 1-10(6) Hz at elevated temperatures and the dielectric loss spectrum in the microwave range 6-14 GHz at room temperature were characterized by AC impedance spectroscopy and the microwave resonator method, respectively. The experimental data were analyzed by using Jonscher's universal power law, the Arrhenius equation as well as the classic dispersion theory. Consequently, a dielectric loss spectrum (tg 8 similar to f plot) at room temperature in a wide frequency range was obtained. Based on the loss spectrum, the dielectric loss can be classified into three mechanisms in MgTiO3 ceramic (each dominates the loss in different frequency ranges): DC conductance (in DC field), AC conductance (< 107 Hz), and anharmonicity of lattice vibration (in GHz range). The influence of defects on the microwave dielectric loss possibly is because of atom defects via damage of the perfection of lattice and modification of the anharmonic force in lattice, while the electronic defects trapped on the atomic defects affect the DC and AC losses.