Dielectric anomalies of solid CO and N2 in the audio frequency range

Abstract Audio frequency dielectric constant measurements of CO and N 2 in their solid phases are presented. Anomalous temperature dependence of the dielectric constant in the α -phases of both CO and N 2 and strong hysteresis effects above an onset temperature T h ≃42 K in the β -phase of pure N 2 have been observed. A simple mean-field theory is proposed which explains some of the observed anomalies in the α -phase.