tertiary pyroelectricity [`tǝr·shē´er·ē ¦pī·rō´i´lek`tris·ǝd·ē] SOLID-STATE PHYSICS The polarization due to temperature and gradients and corresponding nonuniform stresses and strains when the crystal is heated nonuniformly; found in pyroelectric and nonpyroelectric crystals, that is, crystals which have no polar directions. Also known as false pyroelectricity. |