Piezoelectricity in Zincblende‐ and Wurtzite‐Type Crystals

Abstract A phenomenological model for the piezoelectric effect in zincblende‐ and wurtzite‐type crystals is proposed on the basis of optic and dielectric lattice properties. By introduction of a deformation charge it is shown that the sign of the longitudinal piezoelectric constant is determined by the ionicity of the chemical bond. The piezoelectric constant is calculated with correct sign and found to be in good numerical agreement with experimental data. For a number of I–VII, II–VI, and III–V compounds piezoelectric constants are predicted. With the piezoelectric effect the sign of the dynamic effective charges is determined.