Field-induced giant static dielectric constant in nano-particle aggregates at room temperature

Abstract

The analogy between magnetism and electricity was established by Maxwell in the 19th century, despite the subtle difference. While magnetic materials display paramagnetism, ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism and diamagnetism, only paraelectricity, ferroelectricity and antiferrolelectricity have been found in dielectric materials. The missing ‘diaelectricity’ may be found if there exists a material that has a dc-polarization opposing the electric field or a negative dielectric susceptibility ε′ − 1, with ε′ being the real part of the relative dielectric constant. Both of these properties have been observed in nano-particle aggregates under a dc electric bias field at room temperature. A possible collective effect in the nano-particle aggregates is proposed to account for the observation. ‘Diaelectricity’ implies overscreening by polarization to the external charges. Materials with a negative static ε′ are expected to provide attraction to similar charges and unusual scattering to electromagnetic waves with possible profound implications for high temperature superconductivity and communications.