On Converse Piezoelectricity

Abstract

We review theoretical treatments of large regular non-conducting systems exposed to an electrostatic field. The field will induce a structural change (our primary focus) that depends noticeably upon the surfaces no matter how large the system. Interestingly, the surface effect can be determined by treating the system as infinite and periodic, even though no surfaces are present in that case. Accurate results are presented for a simple model that verify and illustrate our infinite periodic treatment. Approximate calculations are also carried out for a couple of real materials. The breakdown of our treatment for metals is analyzed and, on the basis of that analysis, our approach is extended to account for the strain induced by a metal short-circuiting the opposite surfaces of a semiconductor/insulator.