DIELECTRIC RESPONSE OF ALPHA-LIIO3 ACID TYPE CRYSTALS

alpha-LiIO3 is often used as non-linear optical material. In view of i ts preparation, low pH aqueous solutions are used as mother solutions, which give crystals with some hydrogen incorporated to the lattice. T hus, dielectric characterization appears as a very important tool. In this work, the dielectric properties of acid type alpha-LiIO3 crystals (conductivity, permittivity, loss-angle tangent) are investigated as functions of temperature and frequency, through an original method all owing seemingly continuous measurements and avoiding space charge cont ributions to the measurements. The results show the dipolar and low fr equency conductivity contributions to the dielectric response. The rol e of the protons in this ionic conductor is also discussed. (C) 1998 E lsevier Science Ltd.