The word "ferroelectric material" is spelled with the phoneme /f/, voiced and fricative, followed by /ɛ/, short and unrounded, then /ɹ/, voiced and retroflex, and again /o/, short and rounded, followed by /i/, short and unrounded. The stress falls on the second syllable, marked with the symbol /ˌ/. This word refers to a type of material that possesses a spontaneous electric polarization, which can be reversed by an external electric field. Ferroelectrics have various applications, from data storage to biomedical devices.
Ferroelectric materials are a class of substances that exhibit a unique property known as ferroelectricity. They are typically crystalline solids and possess a spontaneous electric polarization that can be reversed by the application of an external electric field. This polarization arises due to the presence of electric dipoles within the material, which are asymmetrically arranged.
In a ferroelectric material, the electric dipoles are aligned in domains that give rise to a net polarization. When an electric field is applied, the domains can be realigned, causing a change in polarization direction. Importantly, this change remains even after the field is removed, making ferroelectric materials capable of retaining a polarized state without the need for a continuous external field.
Due to their unique properties, ferroelectric materials find numerous applications in various technologies. They are commonly used in memory devices, such as ferroelectric random-access memories (FERAMs), where their ability to retain information without power supply proves advantageous. They are also utilized in sensors, actuators, and transducers, thanks to their ability to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy or vice versa.
Furthermore, ferroelectric materials have been employed in piezoelectric devices, where they generate electric charge under mechanical stress or vice versa. This property finds applications in ultrasound imaging, sensors, and actuators. The study and development of ferroelectric materials continue to play a significant role in modern materials science and engineering due to their unique electrical and mechanical properties.
The word "ferroelectric" is derived from the Latin words "ferro" and "electricus".
"Ferro" comes from the Latin word "ferrum", meaning iron.
"Electricus" comes from the Latin word "electrum", which refers to amber. Amber was known to possess an attractiveness for lightweight objects after being rubbed. This phenomenon was later understood as static electricity.
When combined, "ferro" and "electricus" create "ferroelectric", which refers to materials that exhibit a spontaneous electric polarization even in the absence of an external electric field.