Visiting Researcher Support for Prof Nagarajan Valanoor (University of New South Wales)

该提案寻求资金支持教授Nagarajan Valanoor花3个月（2010年12月-2010年12月）在英国贝尔法斯特女王大学（Queen's University）担任客座研究员，并与JM Gregg教授的纳米铁电研究合作。Nagarajan教授是国际公认的纳米铁电专家，尤其擅长薄膜生长，纳米级图案化和域成像使用压电力显微镜（PFM）。他的知识，经验和兴趣是强烈一致的纳米铁电体组在贝尔法斯特女王大学贝尔法斯特（QUB），他在QUB的逗留应该是非常有用的，无论是在帮助加快正在进行的研究进展方面，并在执行潜在的未来合作计划的初步工作方面。在他的访问期间，我们希望追求三个共同感兴趣的主题：（i）铁电纳米形状中畴结构的PFM成像（有助于目前EPSRC资助的计划：EP/F004869/1调查复杂铁电纳米形状的制造和偶极特性）;（ii）在QUB的PFM系统的修改，以允许铁电纳米形状中开关的动态研究;（iii）潜在的挠曲电极化纳米器件的初步探索。

This proposal seeks funding to support Professor Nagarajan Valanoor to spend 3 months (October-December 2010) as a visiting researcher in Queen's University Belfast, and work in collaboration with Professor JM Gregg's nanoscale ferroelectrics activity.Prof Nagarajan is acknowledged internationally as an expert in nanoscale ferroelectrics, with particular expertise in thin film growth, nanoscale patterning and domain imaging using piezo-force microscopy (PFM). His knowledge, experience and interests are strongly aligned with those of the nanoscale ferroelectrics group in Queen's University Belfast (QUB), and his stay in QUB should be extremely useful both in terms of helping to accelerate progress in ongoing research, and in terms of performing preliminary work for potential future collaborative programmes. During his visit, we wish to pursue three themes of common interest:(i) PFM imaging of domain configurations in ferroelectric nanoshapes (contributing to a current EPSRC-funded programme: EP/F004869/1 Investigating the fabrication and dipole characteristics of complex ferroelectric nanoshapes );(ii) Modification of the PFM system at QUB to allow dynamical studies of switching in ferroelectric nanoshapes;(iii) Preliminary exploration of potential flexoelectric polarisation nanodevices.