Simultaneous Large Optical and Piezoelectric Effects Induced by Domain Reconfiguration Related to Ferroelectric Phase...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Photonics

Background:

• Ferroelectric domains and domain walls are crucial for piezoelectric activity but cause light scattering, hindering optical transparency.
• Achieving both high piezoelectric effect and optical transmissivity simultaneously in materials has been a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a novel ferroelectric material that overcomes the trade-off between piezoelectricity and optical transparency.
• To explore the electrical and mechanical manipulation of ferroelectric domains for tunable optical properties.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing domain-engineered perovskite crystals of Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3–Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3.
• Applying electrical fields and mechanical stress to switch ferroelectric domains and control optical states.
• Characterizing piezoelectric coefficients and optical transmissivity.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated reversible and repeatable transformation from an opaque polydomain to a transparent monodomain state with low hysteresis.
• Achieved tunable optical transmissivity at very low electric fields (< 1.5 kV cm⁻¹).
• Obtained a large piezoelectric coefficient (> 10,000 pm V⁻¹), exceeding state-of-the-art materials by over 300%.

Conclusions:

• The developed perovskite material offers a unique combination of tunable optical transmissivity and superior piezoelectric performance.
• This breakthrough enables the development of a new generation of advanced photonic devices.
• The ability to control optical properties via electrical switching opens new avenues in optoelectronics.