Microscopic theory of the electrocaloric effect in the paraelectric phase of potassium dihydrogen phosphate

Here we present a microscopic theory of the electrocaloric effect in potassium dihydrogen phosphate, KH2PO4, based on Slater’s lattice model. The model reproduces the essential features of the experimentally observed behavior and also gives a remarkably accurate description of the electric field dependence of the electrocaloric effect. The basic principle of the theory also gives guidelines for a theoretical analysis of other dielectrics and for the further development of materials with an enhanced electrocaloric effect.