Continuum theories of structured dielectrics. (1st July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blossey, Ralf; Podgornik, Rudolf
• Is Part Of: Europhysics letters. Volume 139:Number 2(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-07-01
• Subjects: Physics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 530.05
• DOI: 10.1209/0295-5075/ac7d0a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0295-5075

Abstract

Abstract: Aqueous dielectrics are ubiquitous in soft- and bio-nano matter systems. The theoretical description of such systems in terms of continuum ("macroscopic") theory remains a serious challenge. In this perspective we first review the existing continuum phenomenological approaches that have been developed in the past decades. In order to describe a path to advance continuum theory beyond these approaches we then take recourse to the Onsager-Dupuis theory of the dielectric behaviour of ice, which, for the case of a solid dielectric, exemplified important conceptual issues we deem relevant for the development of a more fundamental continuum theory of liquid dielectrics. Subsequently, we discuss our recently proposed continuum field theory of structured dielectrics, which provides a generalized approach to the dielectric behavior of such systems.