1996/08/01 by B. Kundys, M. Viret, D. Colson +3 · 8 citations
Chemistry · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Engineering · Materials Science · Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Band gap #Chemistry #Compatibility (geochemistry) #Computer science #Condensed matter physics #Dielectric #Dielectric properties of ceramics #Discrete mathematics #Economic theories and models #Engineering #Ferroelasticity #Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Materials #Ferroelectricity #Graph #Magnetism #Magnetoelectric effect #Materials science #Mathematical economics #Mathematics #Multiferroics #Multiferroics and related materials #Nanotechnology #Optoelectronics #Photovoltaic effect #Photovoltaic system #Physics #Polarization (electrochemistry) #Visible spectrum #cond-mat.mtrl-sci #cond-mat.other
paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/nmat2807
published in Nature Materials 9(10), 803-5 (Nature Portfolio) · photostriction BiFeO3, 4 pages, 4 figures, Nature Materials
openalex publication_date 1996/08/01 · arxiv created 2010/11/15 · arxiv updated 2010/11/16 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Multifunctional oxides are promising materials because of their fundamental physical properties as well as their potential in applications. Among these materials, multiferroics exhibiting ferroelectricity and magnetism are good candidates for spin electronic applications using the magnetoelectric effect, which couples magnetism and ferroelectricity. Furthermore, because ferroelectrics are insulators with a reasonable bandgap, photons can efficiently interact with electrons leading to photoconduction or photovoltaic effects. However, until now, coupling of light with mechanical degrees of freedom has been elusive, although ferroelasticity is a well-known property of these materials. Here, we report on the observation, for the first time, of a substantial visible-light-induced change in the dimensions of BiFeO(3) crystals at room temperature. The relative light-induced photostrictive effect is of the order of 10(-5) with response times below 0.1 s. It depends on the polarization of incident light as well as applied magnetic fields. This opens the perspective of combining mechanical, magnetic, electric and optical functionalities in future generations of remote switchable devices.