Ferroelectricity - Reflexions

Ferroelectricity

FERROELECTRICITY Ferroelectricity is a property of certain materials whereby they exhibit a spontaneous and natural electric polarization. This is due to the fact that the centre of gravity of positive charges is separate from that of negative charges. This polarization can of course be reversed by applying an external electric field. For some time, this property was associated with a particular kind of salt, called Seignette’s salt or Rochelle salt (both names are used). However, a few decades ago, ferroelectric oxides with perovskite structure (a perfect stack of cubic crystals), such as PbTiO3 mentioned in the above article, were discovered.