One Hundred Years of Ferroelectrics

Abstract

The brief history of ferroelectrics and related piezoelectrics and pyroelectrics is reviewed in terms of basic science and application. In 1920, J. Valasek discovered the ferroelectricity of Rochelle salt. Since then ferroelectrics have been widely used for sensors, actuators, and electronic and optical devices. Also, phase transitions in solids and hysteretic switching dynamics have been studied in ferroelectrics.