Field-induced giant static dielectric constant in nano-particle aggregates at room temperature

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of a giant static dielectric constant in nano-particle aggregates at room temperature, suggesting a new form of dielectric behavior called 'diaelectricity' with potential technological implications.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of 'diaelectricity' in nano-particle aggregates, demonstrating negative dielectric susceptibility and collective effects at room temperature.

Findings

Observation of negative dielectric susceptibility in nano-particle aggregates.

Identification of a giant static dielectric constant under a dc bias.

Proposal of a collective effect explaining the phenomenon.

Abstract

The analogy between magnetism and electricity has long been established by Maxwell in the 19th century, in spite of their subtle difference. While magnetic materials display paramagnetism, ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism, and diamagnetism, only paraelectricity, ferroelectricity, and antiferrolelectricity have been found in dielectric materials. The missing `diaelectricity' may be found if there exists a material that has a dc-polarization opposing the electric field or a negative dielectric susceptibility epsilon'-1, with epsilon' being the real part of the relative dielectric constant. Both of these properties have been observed in nano-particle aggregates under a dc electric bias field at room temperature. A possible collective effect in the nano-particle aggregates is proposed to account for the observation. `Diaelectricity' implies overscreening by polarization to the external charges. Materials with a negative static epsilon' are expected to provide attraction to similar charges and unusual scattering to electromagnetic waves with possible profound implications for high temperature superconductivity and communication.