electrostriction

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.ET07368
Contraction of a dielectric in an electric-field gradient.
Notes:
  1. For example, the contraction taking place around the charged centres created as a consequence of the sudden formation of separated positive and negative charges in the process of @E02011@.
  2. The thermodynamic description of electrostriction was given by Drude and Nernst in 1894 to explain the phenomenon of contraction of a continuum medium, such as an alkane, around charges suddenly produced in that medium.
Source:
PAC, 2007, 79, 293. 'Glossary of terms used in photochemistry, 3rd edition (IUPAC Recommendations 2006)' on page 331 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac200779030293)