Relaxation dynamics in orientational glasses

Abstract The multipolar relaxation dynamics observed in dipolar and quadrupolar glasses are reviewed. Special attention is given to the distribution of the relaxation times and to the temperature dependence of the mean relaxation rates. Experimental evidence is provided that orientational glasses can be described in terms of ‘strong glasses’ that are characterized by a low density of configurational states in the potential energy surface. It is suggested that this behavior results from the natural separation of timescales of reorientational and diffusive processes in these crystals.