University of Cagliari
Ferroelectrics and related functional oxides: from basic concepts to predictive models for complex materials
16 May 2013
Dipartimento di Fisica
Il Prof. Jorge Iniguez Gonzalez (Institut de Ciencia de Materials de Barcelona – CSIC, Spain) terrà nei giorni giovedì 9 maggio e giovedì 16 maggio 2013 presso l’Aula A del Dipartimento di Fisica della Cittadella Universitaria una Masterclass in Materiali Ferroelettrici, Magnetoelettrici e Multiferroici; le lezioni si svolgeranno secondo il seguente calendario:
Giovedì 9 maggio, ore 15:00 – 16:00, Dipartimento di Fisica – Aula A:
Lecture #1: Ferroelectrics and related functional oxides:
from basic concepts to predictive models for complex materials
I will introduce the physics of ferroelectrics and related materials (dielectrics, piezoelectrics) that present non-trivial lattice-dynamical properties. I will focus on ferroelectric perovskite oxides, and discuss the simplest physical models that allow us to simulate their polar transition in an atomistic and realistic way. Then, I will review the most important effects (associated e.g. with chemical disorder and nano-structuring) that can lead to spectacular enhancements of the key properties of these materials. I will be mainly interested in the study of ferroelectrics from first-principles at the relevant conditions of temperature, pressure, etc.; hence, this lecture will also feature ideas for achieving large-scale atomistic simulations with quantum-mechanical accuracy and predictive power, many of which are of general applicability.
Giovedì 16 maggio, ore 15:00 – 16:00, Dipartimento di Fisica – Aula A:
Lecture #2: Magnetoelectric multiferroics:
from the fundamental mechanisms to materials design
I will introduce magnetoelectric and magnetoelectric multiferroic compounds, focusing on the physical mechanisms that allow us to control their magnetic properties by means of applied electric fields. Then, I will describe the theory and methods needed to run predictive first- principles calculations of magnetoelectric effects, and illustrate them with representative examples of application. Finally, to put the ideas in action, I will discuss the problem of designing materials that present a robust magnetoelectric response at room temperature, and briefly present several alternatives from my own work.