Change of sign of the corrector's determinant for homogenization in three-dimensional conductivity (Q1884717)

In this paper we study the positivity of the determinant of the local electric field in a conducting composite. We know by [\textit{G. Alessandrini} and \textit{V. Nesi}, Univalent \(\sigma\)-harmonic mappings. Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 158, No.~2, 155--171 (2001; Zbl 0977.31006)] that the positivity holds true in two dimensions for any periodic structure. Using a different approach from [\textit{M. Briane} and \textit{V. Nesi}, ESAIM, Control Optim. Calc. Var. 10, 452--477 (2004; Zbl 1072.74057)] we prove that is also the case for a laminate microstructure in any dimension. However, and this is the main result of the paper, we provide an example of a two-phase three-dimensional periodic composite for which the determinant changes sign.