New developments of electro-thermal techniques for material characterization

Recent developments of thermal techniques for determining electric field and polarization profiles are discussed. An experimental arrangement is introduced which allows for investigations of plane, parallel capacitor samples, as well as of unconventional sample shapes, such as cylindrical and spherical capacitors. The basis of electro-thermal techniques is very broad, providing access to the investigation of thermal (specific heat, thermal diffusivity and thermal expansion) and elastic parameters (velocity of sound), as well as of piezo- and pyroelectric properties.