Spontelectrics Explained

In solid state physics, spontelectrics is the study and phenomenon of thin films of various materials producing strong electric fields.

Properties

When laid down as thin films tens to hundreds of molecular layers thick, a range of materials spontaneously generate large electric fields. The electric fields can be greater than 10⁸ V/m.^[1]

Spontelectric behaviour is intrinsic to the dipolar nature of the constituent molecules.

The detection (in ~2009) of spontaneous electric fields in numerous solid films prepared by vapour deposition raises fundamental questions about the nature of disordered materials.^{[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]}

External links

• Spontelectrics, or the solid state continues to surprise us
• Fysikoverraskelse: Elektrisk spænding opstår spontant i tyndfilm af lattergas
• Another way to sponteletrics.

Notes and References

1. Field. David . O. Plekan . A. Cassidy . R. Balog . N.C. Jones . J. Dunger. Spontaneous electric fields in solid films: spontelectrics. Int. Rev. Phys. Chem.. 12 Mar 2013. 10.1080/0144235X.2013.767109. 32 . 3 . 345–392. 96405473 .
2. Plekan. Oksana. Andrew Cassidy . Richard Balog . Nykola C. Jones . David Field . Spontaneous electric fields in films of cis-methyl formate. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.. 2012. 14. 9972–9976. 10.1039/C2CP41229B. 28. 22714668. 2012PCCP...14.9972P .
3. Balog. R. Cicman P . Jones NC . Field D . Spontaneous dipole alignment in films of N2O. Phys. Rev. Lett.. Feb 2009. 102. 7. 10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.073003. 2009PhRvL.102g3003B . 19257663 . 073003.
4. Plekan. Oksana . A. Cassidy . R. Balog . N.C. Jones . D. Field. A new form of spontaneously polarized material. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.. 2011. 13. 47 . 21035–21044. 10.1039/C1CP22310K. 22020313 . 2011PCCP...1321035P .
5. Field. David . Oksana Plekan . Andrew Cassidy . Richard Balog . Nykola Jones. A new class of spontaneously polarized materials. Europhysics News. 2011. 42. 6. 32–35. 10.1051/epn/2011605. 2011ENews..42...32F . free.
6. Cassidy. Andrew . O. Plekan . R. Balog . N.C. Jones . D. Field. Spontaneous electric fields in films of CF3Cl, CF2Cl2 and CFCl3. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.. 2013. 15. 1 . 108–113. 10.1039/C2CP43138F. 23147680 . 2013PCCP...15..108C .