Polar Dielectrics and Their Applications

Jack C. Burfoot, George W. Taylor

• Publisher: University of California Press
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9780520361294
• eBook ISBN: 9780520315334
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Physics
• Index: Physics

Polar Dielectrics and Their Applications provides a comprehensive exploration of the fascinating world of polar materials, particularly those exhibiting spontaneous polarization. The book delves into the unique properties and behaviors of polar dielectrics, such as piezoelectricity, ferroelectricity, and pyroelectricity, while highlighting their relevance in both theoretical studies and practical applications. A central theme is the role of symmetry and inherent structural asymmetries within polar materials that give rise to their distinctive characteristics. With careful attention to the history and evolution of the field, the book offers insights into the scientific progress made since Valasek's discovery of ferroelectricity in 1921 and discusses the surge in research and technological advancements in recent decades.

Organized into two main parts, the text begins with an in-depth examination of the fundamental properties and behaviors of polar materials, including their electrical, optical, thermal, and mechanical attributes. Key concepts like ferroelectric hysteresis, domain dynamics, and the role of lattice vibrations in cooperative transitions are thoroughly explored. The second part shifts focus to real-world applications, detailing the use of polar materials in memory devices, displays, transducers, and capacitors, as well as emerging technologies like optical holography and liquid crystals. Designed for a diverse audience of scientists, engineers, and students, the book balances foundational principles with cutting-edge developments, making it an essential resource for understanding and leveraging the remarkable capabilities of polar dielectrics.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1979.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents 1
• 1 Introduction
• Part I
• 2 Preparation of Polar Materials
• 2.1 Growth of Single Crystals
• 2.2 Ceramic Fabrication
• 2.3 Thin Film Fabrication
• 2.4 Fabrication of Polar Glasses
• 2.5 Post-Fabrication Procedures
• 3 Electrical and Related Properties
• 3.1 Small Signal Electrical Properties
• 3.2 Large Signal Electrical Properties
• 3.3 Conductivity Effects
• 4 Optical and Related Properties
• 4.1 Refractive Index and Birefringence
• 4.2 Optical Dispersion
• 4.3 Thermo-Optic Behaviour
• 4.4 Elasto-Optic Effect
• 4.5 Electro-Optic Characteristics
• 4.6 Non-Linear Optical Effects
• 4.7 Photo-Refractive Effect
• 4.8 Light Scattering Effects
• 4.9 Absorption
• 4.10 Photoluminescence, Electroluminescence and Luminescence
• 5 Mechanical Properties 5.1 Introduction
• 5.2 Elasticities and piezoelectric coefficients
• 5.3 Measurement
• 5.4 Mechanisms of mechanical loss
• 5.5 Effects of applying mechanical stress
• 5.6 Mechanical properties of improper and ferroelastic materials
• 5.7 Surface waves
• 5.8 Effects of the composition variable
• 6 Thermal Properties 6.1 Introduction
• 6.2 Thermal parameters (table 6.1, at A)
• 6.3 Thermal-electrical parameters (Table 6.1, at B)
• 6.4 Thermal-mechanical parameters (Table 6.1, at C)
• 7 The Transition 7.1 Anomalies and the classical model
• 7.2 Transitions
• 7.3 The lattice vibration viewpoint
• 7.4 Antiferroelectrics
• 7.5 Nomenclature
• 7.6 Non-linearity
• 8 Symmetry 8.1 Symmetry groups
• 8.2 Symmetry of materials
• 8.3 Symmetry of sites
• 8.4 Magnetic symmetries
• 9 Ferroelectric Materials 9.1 Selection of data
• 9.2 Transition and space groups
• 10 Spectroscopy 10.1 Introduction
• 10.2 Characterisation of Spectra
• 10.3 Spectroscopy
• 10.4 Interpretation of Spectra
• 10.5 Fluctuations
• 10.6 Central Peak and Other Aspects of Fluctuations
• 10.7 Appendix: Relations between Spectroscopic, Optical and Dielectric Parameters
• 11 Modes of Lettice Vibration 11.1 Dielectric parameters
• 11.2 Lattice vibrations
• 11.3 Anharmonicity
• 11.4 Improper ferroelectrics
• 11.5 Order-disorder and pseudospin mechanisms
• 12 Domains and Switching 12.1 Introduction
• 12.2 Methods of observing domains
• 12.3 The depolarisation problem
• 12.4 Depolarisation in static domains
• 12.5 Static domain wall structure
• 12.6 Static domain configurations
• 12.7 Dynamics of domain movements
• 12.8 Ideal insulator characteristics
• Wall velocity
• 12.10 Physical properties and wall effects
• 12.11 Compensation
• 12.12 Surface effects
• Part II
• 13 Applications—Some Basic Considerations 13.1 Introduction
• 13.2 Memories and Displays
• 13.3 Methods of Addressing
• 13.4 Basic Limitations of Polar Materials
• 14
• 14.1 Matrix Addressed Memory
• 14.2 Shift Register
• 14.3 Transcharger
• 14.4 Devices Based on the Self Reversal Effect
• 15.1 Ferroelectric-Piezoelectric Devices
• 15.2 Ferroelectric-optic Devices
• 15.3 TANDEL
• 16 Applications Involving Switching—Complex Structure
• 16.1 Ferroelectric-electroluminescent Devices
• 16.2 Ferroelectric-photoconductor Devices
• 16.3 Ferroelectric-semiconductor Devices
• 17.1 Capacitors
• 17.2 PTC Thermistors
• 17.3 Artificial Gems
• 17.4 Electro-optic Applications
• 17.5 Non-linear Optical Applications
• 17.6 Photo-refractive Applications
• 17.7 Pyroelectric Applications
• 17.8 Piezoelectric Applications
• 17.9 Elasto-optic Applications
• 18
• 18.1 Materials
• 18.2 Electro-optic Effects
• 18.3 Electro-optic Applications
• 18.4 Thermo-optic Effects and Applications
• Bibliography1
• Author Index*
• Subject Index