Photo-induced effects in functional oxides studied by time-resolved optical spectroscopy

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Christine Kuntscher
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2013 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 237099515

Within this project the photoinduced effects in functional oxides, namely ferroelectricsand multiferroics, will be studied. The focus will be on the phenomenon of photostriction, i.e., deformation induced by light irradiation, which is considered as a combination of the photovoltaic and the piezoelectric effect. By time-resolved infrared spectroscopy we will characterize the changes in the optical properties of functional oxides under irradiation with various wavelengths and search for photoinduced excitations. Since compressive strain is expected to enhance the piezoelectric effect, the optical measurements will also be carried out on strained films and on crystals under hydrostatic compression. The proposed studies should help to understand the combined mechanical, electrical, and optical functionalities in ferroelectrics and multiferroics.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants