Scientists to track the reaction of crystals to the electric field

Scientists to track the reaction of crystals to the electric field
The international scientific team developed a new method for measuring the response of crystals on the electric field. Credit: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University

An international scientific team, which included scientists from China, Israel, England and Russia, has developed a new method for measuring the response of crystals on the electric field. The study, performed at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), were published in the Journal of Applied Crystallography and appeared on the cover of the October issue. This method will help to implement new and improve existing functional materials.

"The study is dedicated to crystalline materials (ferroelectric), which are used in a variety of devices from sonars for submarines to elements of ultrasonic diagnostic devices," said researcher Dmitry Chernyshov of the Swiss-Norwegian Beam Lines at ESRF and the Physical Electronics department of SPbPU. He stressed that improving the properties of such materials is an extremely important scientific task.

The scientist said that detailed three-dimensional scattering maps were collected during the synchrotron experiments at the ESRF. These maps carry detailed information about the structure of the crystal and its response to the . Next, a mathematical method was invented for extracting the relevant information from such maps. The under study were placed in a special cell for the application of electric field. The cell was developed by alumnus of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Tikhon Vergentiev as part of his Ph.D. project during his internship at the ESRF.

The structure of crystals can be described in different spatial scales. It is possible to describe the structure at the atomic level or at the level of large blocks of the atomic structure (domains, boundaries between domains, structural defects). When the external conditions change (temperature, pressure, etc.), all components of the structure react differently. The research team studied the response of the material to an electric field in its atomic and domain structures.

"In the framework of one experiment, we were able to see how the different levels of the structural hierarchy react to external influences. If we measure and describe the response of individual components of a complex system, as well as their interaction, it is going to be possible to rationally control the structure and properties of such materials," said Dmitry Chernyshov.

The authors of the study expect that the obtained results will be required by a wide range of specialists. It will help chemists to tune the chemical composition and crystal structure, and materials scientists will use new tools for manipulating the large blocks of , domains ( engineering). According to scientists, this will lead to the improvement of the properties of materials used in ultrasonic diagnostic devices.

More information: Nan Zhang et al, Probing the intrinsic and extrinsic origins of piezoelectricity in lead zirconate titanate single crystals, Journal of Applied Crystallography (2018). DOI: 10.1107/S1600576718011317

Provided by Peter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University

Citation: Scientists to track the reaction of crystals to the electric field (2018, November 7) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2018-11-scientists-track-reaction-crystals-electric.html
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