Ferroelectric semiconductors by V. M. Fridkin
Abstract
<h2>Acta Crystallographica Section A</h2><h3>Crystal Physics, Diffraction, Theoretical and General Crystallography</h3><h3>0567-7394</h3> <h2>book reviews</h2> Volume 37 Part 3 Pages 447-448 May 1981 <h2> Ferroelectric semiconductors by V. M. Fridkin</h2> K. M. Castelliz Acta Cryst. (1981). A37, 447-448 Ferroelectric semiconductors. By V. M. FRIDKIN. (Translated from Russian.) Pp. xiii + 318. New York: Consultants Bureau, 1980. Price US $69.50. In eight very condensed chapters, V. M. Fridkin presents an extensive and detailed picture of phenomena and theories related to ferroelectric semiconductors. As pointed out in the preface of the book, the special modification of semi- conductor properties by some ferroelectric characteristics make these materials not very favorable objects for the study of elementary processes in semiconductors. However, when the effect of electrons on the fundamental thermodynamic functions and the conduct of these electrons near the Curie temperature were investigated, a series of new phenomena was discovered. They originate in the high concentration of carriers in ferroelectric semiconductors, on the ground of which the contribution of the electron subsystem free energy to the lattice free energy becomes noticeable at the Curie point. The effect of photoactive illumination produced by nonequilibrium carriers on Curie temperature and spon- taneous polarization leads to phenomena which