DIELECTRIC POLARIZATION NOISE THROUGH THE GLASS-TRANSITION

Measurements of thermal dielectric polarization noise were performed o n an organic glass former. The temperature and frequency dependence of the noise was investigated in glycerol in the vicinity of its glass t ransition. Polarization fluctuations were observed via current or volt age noise, which were produced within a sample capacitance cell. The p redictions of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem proved valid even on entering a nonequilibrium regime near the glass transition. Noise spe ctra exhibit power-law behavior similar to 1/f noise at lower temperat ures. The measurements provide a useful spectroscopy of spontaneous st ructural rearrangements in dielectric and biological materials.