Newly discovered properties of ferroelectric crystal shed light on branch of materials

Ferroelectric materials are behind some of the most advanced technology available today. Findings that ferroelectricity can be observed in materials that exhibit other spontaneous transitions have given rise to a new class of materials, known as hybrid improper ferroelectrics. The properties of this type of material, however, are still far from being fully understood. New findings published in Applied Physics Letters help shine light on these materials and indicate potential for optoelectronic and storage applications.