A dielectric is a nonconducting substance which can support an electrostatic field without dissipating much heat. Here, international contributors describe the properties of dielectric materials, explain the transmission of electromagnetic waves through aperiodic dielectric microstructures, and look at industrial applications. Some areas examined are low dielectric constant interdielectrics, preparation techniques for polymer dielectric materials, and high-K dielectrics in nanoscale MOSFETs. Other subject covered include simulation techniques for dielectric photonic structures, measuring dielectric relaxation in dilute solutions of polar molecules in non-polar solvents, and practical applications of oxides obtained by modifying the dielectric constant. Information on the editor is not given. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)