Electric Breakdown in Ionic Crystals

Herbert B. Callen
Phys. Rev. 76, 1394 – Published 1 November 1949
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Abstract

The electric breakdown strength of ionic crystals at low and moderate temperatures is calculated on the basis of von Hippel's low energy criterion. Fröhlich's method of calculation, modified to take account of the electronic polarizability of the ions, is employed. The breakdown strength at T=0° is F0(voltscm)=134×106(ωt)ev[(εsε0)(εsε03)12](m*m) where (ωt)ev is the reststrahl energy in electron volts, εs and ε0 are the static and optical values of the dielectric constant, and m*m is the ratio of the effective mass to the free electron mass. The breakdown strength increases slowly with increasing temperature. The lack of dependence of the breakdown on crystallographic orientation and the strong directional dependence of the breakdown paths are qualitatively accounted for.

  • Received 16 June 1949

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.76.1394

©1949 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Herbert B. Callen

  • Randal Morgan Laboratory of Physics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Laboratory for Inslation Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Issue

Vol. 76, Iss. 9 — November 1949

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