Creating a Device to Model the Pyroelectric Effects of Tourmaline
Date
2013-05
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Abstract
Tourmaline is the crystalline form of the mineral aluminum borosilicate with 3m symmetry. Because tourmaline is a uniaxial polar crystal, it develops a spontaneous charge during a temperature change (pyroelectricity). Since the polar symmetry direction coincides with the long axis of tourmaline crystals, the two ends develop opposite charges. Consequently, a heated crystal suspended by a strand of thread is either attracted or repelled by a second heated crystal, due to the charges on the respective crystals. In this work, the crystals were heated by light sources of differing frequencies including; 650nm (red), 570nm (yellow), 510nm (green), and 475nm (blue) to create various charges. A device was created that demonstrates this effect. This device can be used to show the effects of pyroelectricity in a lab or classroom setting. Effects of the charged crystals were observed. Findings are presented in this work, along with the effects of humidity and ambient conditions on tourmaline's pyroelectric properties.
Description
Thesis completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Alfred University Honors Program.
Thesis completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Alfred University Honors Program.
Thesis completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Alfred University Honors Program.
Type
Thesis
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Keywords
Honors thesis, Tourmaline, Pyroelectricity, Laboratory experiments