NSF/EPRSC joint proposal on the effect of constraint and thickness on octahedral tilt transitions in perovskite structured thin films

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This proposal aims to investigate a range of perovskite structured thin films using a combination of Raman spectroscopy, in-situ transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron X-radiation in order to determine how constraint controls the onset and temperature dependence of octahedral tilt transitions in thin films and ensuing domain structure. It is anticpated that this will give a greater understanding of how constraint influences functional properties in ferroelectric and dielectric thin layers. The proposal will concentrate on three key systems in which tilt transitions are known to influence macroscopic properties; PbZrxTi(1-x)O3, Ag(Nb,Ta)O3 and the newly discovered (1-x)BiMeO3-xPbTiO3 solid solutions. The proposal is joint between University of Sheffield, Pennsylvania State University and Argonne National Laboratory. The latter will submit an independent National Science Foundation proposal which directly compliments the work proposed here. The programme is for 4 years at the request of the National Science Foundation, USA.