Statics and Dynamics of Spatially and Dimensionally Constrained Oxides

非技术描述：在过去的几十年里，纳米结构和多功能陶瓷氧化物在利用其不同寻常的非线性特性方面取得了显著的进展。特别是铁电氧化物（FE）和铁磁氧化物（FM），由于它们分别在非易失性存储器和存储介质方面的技术前景而受到相当大的关注。然而，就有限元和调频现象作为其尺寸参数和界面性质的函数的详细理解而言，仍然存在许多悬而未决的问题。本项目探讨了创造多功能氧化物纳米结构的创新模式方法，以及空间和维度限制的作用。这项研究有望为纳米化氧化物提供预测策略和设计规则，以利用它们的有用特性。该项目还为新闻专业学生提供了体验和沉浸式的机会，让他们了解科学追求的创造力过程，并为理工科学生提供了学习报道和交流过程的机会。技术细节：研究的科学基础围绕着对微观结构演变的空间和尺寸限制的决定性作用的理解，界面的局部特征，以及FE/FM氧化物的尺寸/形状特定性质/现象。在科学探索中嵌入了复杂氧化物的纳米图形技术。基于束笔光刻（BPL）的创新混合方法与软化学（溶胶-凝胶）相结合，产生大面积的氧化物纳米图案。这种方法对于解决与相变（结晶）和约束下相分离相关的关键科学问题是必要的。x射线散射和电子显微镜的先进技术有望在原子尺度上揭示衬底和纳米图案之间界面的性质，以及铁电性和磁性的动力学作为纳米图案参数和衬底约束的函数。研究学生，包括研究生和本科生实习生，接受先进的显微镜和表征工具和技术的培训，这些工具和技术对现代材料的发展至关重要。

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: The past couple decades have witnessed remarkable advances in nanostructured and multifunctional ceramic oxides to harness their unusual non-linear properties. Ferroelectric (FE) and ferromagnetic (FM) oxides, in particular, have received considerable attention due to their technological prospects for non-volatile memories and storage media, respectively. However, there remain many open questions in term of the detailed understanding of FE and FM phenomena as a function of their dimensional parameters and the nature of the interfaces. This project addresses innovative patterning approaches for creating nanoscale architecture of multifunctional oxides, and the role of spatial and dimensional confinement. The research is expected to provide predictive strategies and design rules for nanopatterned oxides for harnessing their useful properties. The project also involves experiential and immersion opportunity for journalism students to follow the process of creativity in scientific pursuits, and for science and engineering students to learn about the process of reporting and communication. TECHNICAL DETAILS: The scientific underpinning of the research revolves around understanding of the decisive role of spatial and dimensional constraints on microstructural evolution, localized characteristics of interfaces, and size/shape-specific properties/phenomena in FE/FM oxides. Embedded in the scientific quest are nanopatterning techniques for complex oxides. Innovative hybrid approaches based on beam-pen lithography (BPL) are coupled to soft chemistry (sol-gel) to generate large area oxide nanopatterns. This approach is necessary to address critical scientific issues associated with phase transformation (crystallization) and phase separation under confinement. Advanced techniques of X-ray scattering and electron microscopy are expected to unravel, down to atomic scale, the nature of interfaces between substrate and nanopattern and the dynamics of ferroelectricity and magnetism as a function of nanopattern parameters and substrate constraints. The research students, including graduate students and undergraduate interns, are trained in advanced microscopy and characterization tools and techniques which are essential for modern materials developments.