Abstract
Through mapping of the spatiotemporal strain profile in ferroelectric BiFeO3epitaxial thin films, we report an optically initiated dynamic enhancement of the strain gradient of 105-106 m-1 that lasts up to a few ns depending on the film thickness. Correlating with transient optical absorption measurements, the enhancement of the strain gradient is attributed to a piezoelectric effect driven by a transient screening field mediated by excitons. These findings not only demonstrate a new possible way of controlling the flexoelectric effect, but also reveal the important role of exciton dynamics in photostriction and photovoltaic effects in ferroelectrics.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 16650 |
Journal | Scientific reports |
Volume | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Nov 20 2015 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General