History of Ferroelectrics -- A Crystallography Perspective

TL;DR

This paper explores the historical development of ferroelectric materials through the lens of crystallography, emphasizing the importance of understanding crystal structures to comprehend their physical properties.

Contribution

It provides a historical overview of ferroelectrics from a crystallography perspective, highlighting key structural insights that have advanced the field.

Findings

Crystallography has been fundamental in understanding ferroelectric properties.

Historical analysis reveals the evolution of structural models in ferroelectric research.

Understanding crystal structure is crucial for developing new ferroelectric materials.

Abstract

"Underlying the whole treatment is the assumption that the physical properties of a solid are closely related to its structure, and that the first step to understanding the physical properties is to understand the structure." Helen D. Megaw, Preface to Ferroelectricity in Crystals, Methuen & Co Ltd, London, 1957.