Decomposition of third-order constitutive tensors

Abstract

Third-order tensors are widely used as a mathematical tool for modeling physical properties of media in solid state physics. In most cases, they arise as constitutive tensors of proportionality between basic physics quantities. The constitutive tensor can be considered as a complete set of physical parameters of a medium. The algebraic features of the constitutive tensor can be seen as a tool for proper identification of natural material, as crystals, and for design the artificial nano-materials with prescribed properties. In this paper, we study the algebraic properties of a generic 3-rd order tensor relative to its invariant decomposition. In a correspondence to different groups acted on the basic vector space, we present the hierarchy of types of tensor decomposition into invariant subtensors. In particular, we discuss the problem of non-uniqueness and reducibility of high-order tensor decomposition. For a generic 3-rd order tensor, these features are described explicitly. In the case of special tensors of a prescribed symmetry, the decomposition turns out to be irreducible and unique. We present the explicit results for two physically interesting models: the piezoelectric tensor as an example of a pair symmetry and the Hall tensor as an example of a pair skew-symmetry.