Modeling-Assisted Growth of New Multiferroics in the MTiO3 (M = Fe, Mn, Ni) Family as Epitaxial Thin Films
EMSL Project ID
45395
Abstract
Materials that simultaneously show electric and magnetic order are currently gaining increasing attention due to the fact that such multiferroics are promising materials for the design of new multifunctional devices but also because of the interesting physics exhibited by these materials. A recent theoretical study has predicted that the family of MTiO3 (M = Fe, Mn, Ni) are promising candidate structures where polar lattice distortion can induce weak ferromagnetism. Although the relevant phase of FeTiO3 was successfully synthesized before in bulk using high-pressure synthesis, and its ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties were reported, the coupling between its polarization and magnetization has not yet been shown. We propose to synthesize the MTiO3 phases with the predicted multiferroic properties in epitaxial thin film form with the help of first-principles calculations. Using an advanced way of materials design that involves predicting the optimal lattice strain and film thickness, we will tune the synthesis conditions so that the best possible electric polarization and ferromagnetism is achieved for a given material. Molecular beam heteroepitaxy (MBE) at EMSL's unique thin-film synthesis capability will be used to synthesize the desired phases of NiTiO3, FeTiO3, MnTiO3, and possible other compounds with promising multiferroic properties. The physical properties of the above phases will be characterized, and most importantly, the possibility of electric field-switching of their magnetization will be examined. The outlined program will result in materials whose magnetization can be controlled by electric field with potential applications in new magnetic devices such as memories, biosensors, and other multifunctional devices. The proposed project also represents an example of theory-inspired design, where theory and experiment are closely coupled to elucidate key phenomena and aid rational synthesis of new materials of potential technological importance. In addition to new materials, this project will also result in a new materials design capability to enhance the impact of EMSL's Science of Interfacial Phenomena Theme.
Project Details
Start Date
2011-07-11
End Date
2014-07-20
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
Varga T, T Droubay, ME Bowden, P Nachimuthu, V Shutthanandan, TB Bolin, WA Shelton, and SA Chambers. 2012. "Epitaxial growth of NiTiO3 with a distorted ilmenite structure." Thin Solid Films 520(17):5534-5541. doi:10.1016/j.tsf.2012.04.060
Varga T, T Droubay, ME Bowden, RJ Colby, S Manandhar, V Shutthanandan, D Hu, BC Kabius, E Apra, WA Shelton, and SA Chambers. 2013. "Coexistence of Weak Ferromagnetism and Polar Lattice Distortion in Epitaxial NiTiO3 thin films of the LiNbO3-Type Structure." Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B--Microelectronics and Nanometer Structures 31(3):Article No. 030603. doi:10.1116/1.4801664
Varga T, T Droubay, ME Bowden, SA Chambers, BC Kabius, WA Shelton, P Nachimuthu, and V Shutthanandan. 2011. "Promise of new multiferroics: Synthesis and characterization of epitaxial NiTiO3 films." Abstract submitted to APS March Meeting 2012, Boston, MA. PNNL-SA-84173
Varga T, T Droubay, ME Bowden, SA Chambers, BC Kabius, WA Shelton, P Nachimuthu, and V Shutthanandan. 2011. "Promise of new multiferroics: Synthesis and characterization of epitaxial NiTiO3 films." Abstract submitted to AVS 58th International Symposium & Exhibition 2011, Nashville, TN. PNNL-SA-82832.