Optical, electrical and electromechanical measurement methodologies of field, charge and polarization in dielectrics

A selective review is presented of the use of optical, electrical, and electromechanical measurement methodologies of the electric field, charge, conductivity, and permittivity in dielectrics. Kerr electro-optic measurements are presented to demonstrate how volume charge distributions can distort the electric field distribution significantly and how the field and charge distributions depend on dielectric and electrode materials and geometry, and on voltage magnitude, polarity, and time duration. A new class of interdigital dielectrometry sensors is reviewed which from one side can measure profiles in dielectric permittivity and conductivity and related physical properties such as moisture content. Electromechanical devices such as the absolute charge sensor, a flow loop, and the couette charger (cc) with a rotating cylindrical electrode are reviewed for their applications in liquid flow electrification measurements.