Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Measuring Magnetically-Tuned Ferroelectric Polarization in Liquid Crystals
Published on: August 15, 2018
Polarization and adiabatic pumping in inhomogeneous crystals
Di Xiao1, Junren Shi, Dennis P Clougherty
1Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA. xiaod@ornl.gov
Abstract:
We develop a general theory of electric polarization in crystals with inhomogeneous order. We show that the inhomogeneity-induced polarization can be classified into two parts: a perturbative contribution stemming from a correction to the basis functions and a topological contribution described in terms of the Chern-Simons form of the Berry gauge fields. The latter is determined up to an uncertainty quantum, which is the second Chern number in appropriate units. Our theory provides an exhaustive link between microscopic models and the macroscopic polarization.
Related Concept Videos
Potential Due to a Polarized Object
Dielectric Polarization in a Capacitor
Phase Transitions: Melting and Freezing
Induced Electric Dipoles
Since the absolute value of potential energy holds no physical meaning, its zero value can be chosen as per...
Recrystallization: Solid–Solution Equilibria
Adiabatic Processes for an Ideal Gas

