New DFG research group on mixed crystals of lithium niobate and lithium tantalate

IKZ is member of the new research group “Periodic Low-Dimensional Defect Structures in Polar Oxides”

Distribution of composition in a solid solution crystal (scale in mole fraction LiTaO₃) / Logo of the research group FOR5044 | Credit: IKZ

Dr. Steffen Ganschow of the Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung (IKZ) is member of the new DFG research group FOR5044 “Periodic Low-Dimensional Defect Structures in Polar Oxides”. The research group will investigate mixed crystals of lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) and lithium tantalate (LiTaO₃).

Both materials are ferroelectric and the crystals exhibit domains with different orientation of spontaneous electrical polarization. Dimensionality and spatial distribution of the domains are significantly influenced by the growth conditions of the crystals. This includes periodic arrangements that are particularly advantageous for the application of nonlinear optical effects.

While LiNbO₃ and LiTaO₃ have been researched for decades and are already commercially used in many areas, hardly anything is known about the properties of their solid solution series.

These solid solutions form an extremely variable model system for the detection and application of new fundamental material science and physical phenomena. For example, the electronic and ionic transport in the domain walls and its effects on the piezoelectric and optical properties as well as the thermal stability are to be investigated. In particular, novel properties of the domain walls, such as controllable electronic conductivities and variable optical refractive indices are expected.

Prof. Dr. Holger Fritze (TU Clausthal) is coordinating the research group. The IKZ has been working closely with Prof. Fritze in the field of high temperature piezoelectrics already for many years.

The work carried out at the IKZ is focused on investigating the growth of single crystals from the melt. “We will thermoanalytically investigate the solid solution system LiNbO₃-LiTaO₃ and model the transport processes during crystal growth in order to improve the growth process and the homogeneity of the crystals. With this, we want to determine relevant material properties of the solid solutions and melts and explore the possibilities of generating defined domain patterns during crystal growth,” says Dr. Steffen Ganschow (IKZ).
 

Further information:

Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V.
Dr. Steffen Ganschow
Department Volume Crystals / Section Oxides & Fluorides / Crystals for Benchmarking and Service
Phone +49 30 6392-3024
Email: steffen.ganschow(at)ikz-berlin.de
www.ikz-berlin.de/en/research/volumenkristalle/sektion-oxide-fluoride

Press release IKZ, 29 October 2020