Dielectric relaxation

Delayed adjustment of electric polarization after a change in electric field. A simple illustrative model lets the slowly adjusting part ${\mathbf{P}}_s$ obey $\tau d{\mathbf{P}}_s/dt+{\mathbf{P}}_s={ϵ}_0\Delta {ϵ}_r\mathbf{E}$, with a positive response time $\tau$. A harmonic electric field then gives a contribution $\Delta {ϵ}_r/(1+i\omega \tau )$ to complex permittivity divided by vacuum permittivity. This model is an assumption, not a claim that all dielectrics have one response time.