International
Tables for
Crystallography
Volume D
Physical properties of crystals
Edited by A. Authier

© International Union of Crystallography 2006
International Tables for Crystallography (2006). Vol. D. ch. 1.6, pp. 150-151

Section 1.6.2.1. Spontaneous polarization [P_i^0]

A. M. Glazera* and K. G. Coxb‡

a Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Parks Roads, Oxford OX1 3PU, England, and bDepartment of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Parks Roads, Oxford OX1 3PR, England
Correspondence e-mail:  glazer@physics.ox.ac.uk

1.6.2.1. Spontaneous polarization [P_i^0]

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A spontaneous polarization of a crystal can be created in some polar crystals after a strong static electric field is first applied and then removed. Subsequent application of an electric field in the opposite direction can then reverse the sense of the spontaneous polarization. By analogy with the well known similar phenomenon of ferromagnetism, such crystals are known as ferroelectrics (Jona & Shirane, 1962[link]; Lines & Glass, 1979[link]). This effect is therefore not an optical effect, but is included here for the sake of completeness. For a crystal to be a ferroelectric, it cannot have a centre of symmetry.

References

First citation Jona, F. & Shirane, G. (1962). Ferroelectric crystals. Oxford: Pergamon.Google Scholar
 First citation Lines, M. E. & Glass, A. M. (1979). Principles and applications of ferroelectrics and related materials. Oxford: Clarendon.Google Scholar








































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