8. Electromagnetic Properties of Ceramics

Electric properties of ceramics range from insulator to superconductor, which are basically based on their crystal structures. Defect structures such as vacancy and substituted atoms affect some kind of electric properties. Intentional doping is frequently conducted to improve the electric properties. Different from the single crystal, ceramics contain grain boundary giving some unique functions. The conductivity or power generation of some kinds of ceramics changes depending on factors such as temperature, ambient gas, and applied pressure. Such property changes can be used as sensor materials. In addition to the microscopic crystal structure, some electromagnetic functions can be modified by changing the macroscopic structures such as micrometer order pores and layers.