Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
07:03
Measuring Magnetically-Tuned Ferroelectric Polarization in Liquid Crystals
Published on: August 15, 2018
Novel complex phenomena in ferroelectric nanocomposites.
Lydie Louis1, Igor Kornev, Grégory Geneste
1Physics Department and Institute for Nanoscience and Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA. llouis@uark.edu
Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal
|September 13, 2012
Summary
This study reveals novel transitions in ferroelectric nanocomposites, including vortex core changes and zigzag dipolar chains. These findings enhance understanding of complex ferroelectric materials at finite temperatures.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Computational Materials Science
Background:
- Ferroelectric nanocomposites offer unique properties due to engineered microstructures.
- Understanding finite-temperature behavior is crucial for device applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate finite-temperature properties of ferroelectric nanocomposites.
- Explore novel transitions and phenomena in periodic ferroelectric nanowire arrays.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a first-principles-based effective Hamiltonian.
- Simulated ferroelectric nanocomposites with periodic arrays of ferroelectric nanowires in a matrix.
Main Results:
- Discovered novel transitions related to flux-closure configurations.
- Observed vortex core transitions (axisymmetric to broken symmetry).
- Identified translational vortex core modes, zigzag dipolar chains, and phase-locked vortices with antivortices.
Conclusions:
- Complex phenomena like broken symmetry and dipolar chains coexist with spontaneous polarization.
- These findings provide insights into the rich physics of ferroelectric nanocomposites.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Ferromagnetism
Materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt consist of magnetic domains, within which the magnetic dipoles are arranged parallel to each other. The magnetic dipoles are rigidly aligned in the same direction within a domain by quantum mechanical coupling among the atoms. This coupling is so strong that even thermal agitation at room temperature cannot break it. The result is that each domain has a net dipole moment. However, some materials have weaker coupling, and are ferromagnetic at lower...
02:42Valence Bond Theory
Coordination compounds and complexes exhibit different colors, geometries, and magnetic behavior, depending on the metal atom/ion and ligands from which they are composed. In an attempt to explain the bonding and structure of coordination complexes, Linus Pauling proposed the valence bond theory, or VBT, using the concepts of hybridization and the overlapping of the atomic orbitals. According to VBT, the central metal atom or ion (Lewis acid) hybridizes to provide empty orbitals of suitable...
02:54Molecular and Ionic Solids
Crystalline solids are divided into four types: molecular, ionic, metallic, and covalent network based on the type of constituent units and their interparticle interactions.
Molecular Solids
Molecular crystalline solids, such as ice, sucrose (table sugar), and iodine, are solids that are composed of neutral molecules as their constituent units. These molecules are held together by weak intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, or hydrogen bonds, which...
Molecular Solids
Molecular crystalline solids, such as ice, sucrose (table sugar), and iodine, are solids that are composed of neutral molecules as their constituent units. These molecules are held together by weak intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, or hydrogen bonds, which...
01:17Theory of Metallic Conduction
The conduction of free electrons inside a conductor is best described by quantum mechanics. However, a classical model makes predictions close to the results of quantum mechanics. It is called the theory of metallic conduction.
In this theory, Newton's second law of motion is used to determine the acceleration of an electron in the presence of an applied electric field. Then, its velocity is expressed via this acceleration.
An electron moves through the crystal, containing positive ions,...
In this theory, Newton's second law of motion is used to determine the acceleration of an electron in the presence of an applied electric field. Then, its velocity is expressed via this acceleration.
An electron moves through the crystal, containing positive ions,...
01:31Dielectric Polarization in a Capacitor
The presence of a dielectric medium in a capacitor not only changes the voltage and capacitance but also affects the electric field. In general, dielectrics can be of two types: polar and nonpolar. In a polar dielectric, the positive and negative charges in the molecules are separated by a distance and hence have a permanent dipole moment. In contrast, no such charge separation exists in a nonpolar dielectric, however the nonpolar molecules get polarized in the presence of an external electric...