Spontelectrics

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

These films have rather special properties.They represent a new form of the solid state called spontelectric.^[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]}

David Field played a major role in the discovery of spontelectrics.

External links

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

References