The Edge Electric Field of a Pyroelectric and its Applications

TL;DR

This paper investigates the electric field generated at the edges of a pyroelectric material upon temperature change, analyzing its properties and potential applications in various physical effects and device development.

Contribution

It provides a detailed calculation and analysis of the edge depolarizing electric field (EDEF) in a semi-infinite pyroelectric plate and explores its diverse applications.

Findings

EDEF reaches 10^4-10^5 V/cm magnitude.

EDEF can induce currents and modify optical properties.

Potential for novel device applications based on EDEF effects.

Abstract

Following a change of temperature of a pyroelectric (PE), a depolarizing electric field appears both inside the PE, as well as outside its edges, the edge depolarizing electric field (EDEF). The EDEF extends outwards up to a distance of the order of magnitude of the PE width. The mapping and the strength of the EDEF have been calculated and analyzed for the case of a semi-infinite pyroelectric plate. This strong EDEF (104-105 V/cm), when penetrating into the surrounding medium, creates a variety of physical effects: inducing electrical current in a semiconductor and affecting its resistance, accelerating charged and neutral particles in vacuum or in a gas, generating electromagnetic waves, modifying optical characteristics by electrooptical and photoelasic effects, generating piezoelectric deformation and more. We show that these EDEF induced effects could serve as a basis for the development of various applications and devices.