Neutron powder diffraction study of ferroelectric ice; An Understanding the material evolution in the universe

Fukazawa, Hiroshi

The complex behavior of water and the unusual properties of proton ordering in ferroelectric ice crystal continue to attract much interest. Whether ice in the space exists as proton-ordered ices, is an important question. Some ordered ices have ferroelectricity, and long range electrostatic forces caused by the ferroelectricity might be an important factor for planet formation. From neutron diffraction experiments, we found the temperature conditions for the transformation of the largest fraction of ice into ferroelectric ice using the lowest level of impurity dopant. It suggests that myriad big icy-bodies, which exist as dwarf planets and Kuiper Belt Object, consist of thick ferroelectric-ice surface.