The universal dielectric response and its physical significance

Gives a comprehensive presentation of an integrating approach to the interpretation of the universal behavior of relaxation in a wide range of dielectric systems. The concepts of energy criterion, of screening, and of different types of interactions between charges or dipoles based on Coulombic 'structural' or any other type of coupling are being applied to a variety of situations and they are seen to give a satisfactory explanation of the behavior of a wide range of systems. It is believed that this approach offers a better insight into the responses of many systems that could be had under alternative theories, but it is pointed out that this does not necessarily constitute a proof of its validity.<>