Project R-4897

Local magnetic probing and magneto-electric coupling of single phase and composite multiferroic films by chemical solution based synthesis (Research)

Magnetoelectric multiferroics, materials with simultaneous and coupled magnetic and ferroelectric properties, are enthusiastically researched world-wide for their potential towards pioneering electronic devices due to their rich chemistry and physics. Herein the ferroelectric and magnetic properties and their cross coupling are of special interest. BiFeO3 is the only known room temperature single phase multiferroic. Its properties are not fully understood, in spite of strong efforts. Also, the coupling of the magnetic and ferroelectric properties does not seem ideal for devices. Alternatively, magnetoelectric heterostructured composite films are considered, where coupling can be much stronger. So far, entirely solution based routes towards the assembly of controlled nanostructured composite films have not been reported, despite specific advantages (e.g. prevention of interdiffusion due to the low temperatures applied, and potential for a large variety of nano-heterostructures with controlled morphologies). Our project proposes to progress beyond the current state of the art by: The synthesis of single-phase and controlled heterostructured nanocomposite multiferroic films by solution deposition Local probing of magnetism and spin-phonon coupling in multiferroic thin films by advanced synchrotron and neutron measurements The unique combination of both, the local probing of composite films, will be our supreme ambition. The possibility to probe the ferroelectric and magnetic components of the system separately, originating from the solution synthesis approach, provides a unique and unprecedented combination of chemistry and physics.

01 January 2014 - 31 December 2017