513.001 Molecular and Solid State Physics

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Pyroelectricity

Pyroelectricity describes how the electric polarization changes as the temperature changes. The pyroelectric coefficients form a rank 1 tensor πi.

dPi/dT = πi

(a) Give the independent tensor elements for the point group 3m (the crystal class of the mineral tourmalin).

(b) Calculate the change in the electrostatic polarisation of tourmalin if the temperature changes by 1° C. The pyroelectric coefficient πz = 3.8×10-6 As m-2 C-1. In which direction is the polarization pointed?