Growth of multiferroic single crystals and characterization of their optical properties for piezophotonic applications

• Grant number: 24/06119-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: September 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: José Antonio Eiras
• Grantee: Yakubu Shedrach
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/13769-1 - Multiferroic and ferroelectric materials for energy converters: synthesis, properties, phenomenology and applications, AP.TEM

Abstract

The objective of this project is to develop a research line focused on the growth, characterization and phenomenological data analyses of Pb-based ferroelectric single crystals, aiming their use in advanced optical, piezoelectric and piezophotonic applications. For this purpose, undoped and rare earth (RE) doped (1-x)[Pb(Mg1/3,Nb2/3)O3]-(x)PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) ferroelectric crystals will be grown by vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger (VB-S) method for compositions near the morphotropic phase boundary. Among the main goals of this project, it is highlighted: 1. To acquire knowledge which enable us to growth of undoped and RE-doped bulk (large volume) ferroelectric PMN-PT single crystals by VB-S technique; 2. To conduct chemical and structural characterizations of the precursor powders and the as-grown crystals; 3. Characterization of the electrical properties, mainly the dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric ones of the as-grown crystals in different crystallographic directions; 4. Characterization of photoluminescence, optical and piezophotonic properties of the RE doped crystals in different crystallographic directions; 5. Development of phenomenological models aiming to describe the piezophotonic properties as a function of crystal orientation and crystalline field; 6. To contribute to implantation and consolidation of the crystal growth research line at Federal University of São Paulo. In order to the candidate develop all these activities and to conclude his direct PhD course, it is requested a granting of 37 (thirty seven) months of direct doctoral fellowship for the candidate. Nowadays, the candidate holders a DD fellowship, FAPESP process N° 22/05578-0.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

YAKUBU, SHEDRACH; MEIRELLES, MARIANA RODRIGUES; KOLAWOLE, FUNSHO OLAITAN; GONSALVES, MARAISA; EIRAS, J. A.; LENTE, M. H.. Synthesis of Er-Yb co-doped MgNb₂O6 ceramics and the exploration of their up-conversion photoluminescence and photocatalytic properties. Optical Materials, v. 163, p. 13-pg., 2025-06-01. (24/06119-4, 17/13769-1)