How to characterize electrocaloric effect: Comparison of indrect and direct method

In recent years, materials with giant electrocaloric effect (ECE) have been discovered, in which the characterization of ECE is the key. Both direct and indirect method have been used in current studies. It is expected to get the same results by using both methods. Unfortunately, it is widely reported that there is a significant difference between the ECE obtained by direct method and that by indirect method. In this talk, the reasons behind the difference in the ECE obtained from the direct and indirect method are discussed based on the measurement principle and phenomenological theory. Based on it, a new indirect method is modified. It is found that the results from the modified indirect method is much closer to the results from direct method than the current direct method.