antiferroelectric

adjective

an·​ti·​fer·​ro·​elec·​tric ¦an-ˌtī-ˌfer-ō-i-¦lek-trik 

¦an-tē-

physics, of a substance

: having ordered sets of electric dipoles with alternating orientations

According to recent theoretical interpretations, one of these transitions involves a breaking of electronic symmetry in the proton pairs, a state of spontaneous polarization akin to that in an antiferroelectric material.

—Russell J. Hemley et al., Physics Today, August 1998

compare ferroelectric

antiferroelectric noun

plural antiferroelectrics

Antiferroelectrics show a characteristic phase transition with temperature with dielectric anomaly similar to that observed in ferroelectrics.

—Dinker B. Sirdeshmukh et al., Atomistic Properties of Solids, 2011

Word History

Etymology

anti- entry 1 + ferroelectric entry 1

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

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