Advanced neutron scattering methods are being used to measure the structure and lattice dynamics of a wide variety of ferroelectric and relaxor ferroelectric materials. Current interest focuses on the lead-free perovskites NBT, KLT, and KTN in addition to the lead-based perovskites PZT, PMN-xPT, and PZN-xPT, which exhibit exceptional piezoelectric properties. The nature of the static diffuse scattering arising from short-range polar correlations in relaxor systems is a topic of special interest. The effect of an applied electric field on the structural phase transitions and the diffuse scattering is also being studied to clarify the as-yet unknown polar nanostructure in these materials.

 

Keywords:

Ferroelectrics; Relaxors; Morphotropic phase boundary; Diffuse scattering; Lattice dynamics; Soft modes; Neutron scattering; Polar nanoregions;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants