Electrostrictive effect
0202102-53
[DEFINITION]
The generation of strain in a dielectric material induced by an
electric field.
[DESCRIPTION]
The model of crystal lattice of cations and anions bonded with one
another by springs is often well applied to ceramics. If an electric field is applied to a material
that is not conductive, the cations in the material are attracted in the direction of the electric
field whereas the anions are attracted in the opposite direction, with this inducing a stress to
deform the crystal lattice. The strain induced by the electric field is classified into two by the
property of the inter-ionic springs determined by the crystalline structure. In a symmetric crystal,
much part of extension and contraction is cancelled between neighboring springs so that the whole
crystal shows little strain. Although, to be accurate, the anharmonicity of the springs causes a
strain that is proportional to the square of the electric field strength. This is known as the
electrostrictive strain effect. Whereas an asymmetric crystal shows a strain that is proportional
to the electric field strength, which is called the reverse piezoelectric effect.
[References]
(2)(4)
[Related Terms]
Piezoelectric effect