Photocontrolled strain in polycrystalline ferroelectrics via domain engineering strategy

Abstract

The use of photonic concepts to achieve nanoactuation based on light triggering requires complex architectures to obtain the desired effect.In thiscontext, the recent discoveryof reversible optical control of the domain configurationin ferroelectricsoffers anew light-ferroic interplaythat can be easily controlled. To date, however, the optical control of ferroelectric domains is explored insingle crystals, although polycrystals are technologically more desirable because they can be manufactured in a scalable and reproducible fashion. Here we report experimental evidencesfora large photo-strain response in polycrystalline BaTiO3that is comparable to theirelectro-strain values. Domainsengineering is performed through grain size control, thereby evidencing that charged domain walls appear to be the functional interfaces for the light-driven domain switching. Thefindingsshed light onthe design of high-performance photo-actuatorsbased on ferroelectric ceramics, providing afeasible alternativeto the conventional voltage-driven nanoactuators