Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026
15:04
Picometer-Precision Atomic Position Tracking through Electron Microscopy
Published on: July 3, 2021
8.5K
Ferroelectric domain wall motion induced by polarized light
Fernando Rubio-Marcos1, Adolfo Del Campo1, Pascal Marchet2
1Electroceramic Department, Instituto de Cerámica y Vidrio, CSIC, Kelsen 5, Madrid 28049, Spain.
Nature Communications
|March 18, 2015
Summary
Scientists discovered that polarized light can move ferroelectric domain walls in Barium Titanate (BaTiO₃) crystals. This light-induced stress offers a novel, non-contact method for controlling ferroelectric domain walls.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Optics
Background:
- Ferroelectric materials possess spontaneous polarization, crucial for devices like ferroelectric memory.
- Domain walls in ferroelectrics separate regions of differing polarization and are key to data storage mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of light to control ferroelectric domain walls.
- To explore novel methods for manipulating ferroelectric polarization beyond traditional electric fields.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a coherent light source with adjustable polarization.
- Employed in situ confocal Raman spectroscopy to observe domain wall behavior.
- Experimented with Barium Titanate (BaTiO₃) single crystals.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the ability to move ferroelectric domain walls by altering the polarization angle of light.
- Observed light-induced modifications in stress at the domain wall.
- Established an unexpected coupling between polarized light and ferroelectric polarization.
Conclusions:
- Polarized light can effectively control ferroelectric domain walls in BaTiO₃.
- This light-matter interaction offers a pathway for non-contact, remote manipulation of ferroelectric domain walls.
- Potential applications in advanced memory and optical switching devices.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Potential Due to a Polarized Object
937
A neutral atom consists of a positively charged nucleus surrounded by a negatively charged electron cloud. When placed in an external electric field, the external electric force pulls the electrons and nucleus apart, opposite to the intrinsic attraction between the nucleus and the electrons. The opposing forces balance each other with a slight shift between the center of masses of the nucleus and the electron cloud, resulting in a polarized atom. On the other hand, a few molecules, like water,...
937
01:31Dielectric Polarization in a Capacitor
6.7K
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...
6.7K
01:23Magnetic Field due to Moving Charges
12.6K
A stationary charge creates and interacts with the electric field, while a moving charge creates a magnetic field.
Consider a point charge moving with a constant velocity. Like the electric field, the magnetic field at any point is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charge and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the source point and the field point. However, unlike the electric field, the magnetic field is always perpendicular to the plane containing the line...
Consider a point charge moving with a constant velocity. Like the electric field, the magnetic field at any point is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charge and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the source point and the field point. However, unlike the electric field, the magnetic field is always perpendicular to the plane containing the line...
12.6K
01:28Induced Electric Dipoles
5.1K
A permanent electric dipole orients itself along an external electric field. This rotation can be quantified by defining the potential energy because the external torque does work in rotating it. Then, the potential energy is minimum at the parallel configuration and maximum at the antiparallel configuration. While the former is a stable equilibrium, the latter is an unstable equilibrium.
Since the absolute value of potential energy holds no physical meaning, its zero value can be chosen as per...
Since the absolute value of potential energy holds no physical meaning, its zero value can be chosen as per...
5.1K
01:22Motion Of A Charged Particle In A Magnetic Field
8.3K
A charged particle experiences a force when moving through a magnetic field. Consider the field to be uniform and the charged particle to move perpendicular to it. If the field is in a vacuum, the magnetic field is the dominant factor determining the motion. Since the magnetic force is perpendicular to the direction of motion, a charged particle follows a curved path. The particle continues to follow this curved path until it forms a complete circle. Another way to look at this is that the...
8.3K
01:22Motional Emf
4.3K
Magnetic flux depends on three factors: the strength of the magnetic field, the area through which the field lines pass, and the field's orientation with respect to the surface area. If any of these quantities vary, a corresponding variation in magnetic flux occurs. If the area through which the magnetic field lines are passing changes, then the magnetic flux also changes. This change in the area can be of two types: the flux through the rectangular loop increases as it moves into the...
4.3K