This is very interesting and a new research on crystals reaction to the electric field. It has been done by the International Scientific Team scientists from China, Israel, England and Russia. They developed a new method to measure the crystal response on electric field. The research was done at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) which was published in the Journal of Applied Crystallography. It was also presented in the cover of October issue.
Dmitry Chernyshov of the Swiss-Norwegian Beam Lines at ESRF and the Physical Electronics department of SPbPU said '"The study is dedicated to crystalline materials (ferroelectric), which are used in a variety of devices from sonars for submarines to elements of ultrasonic diagnostic devices," He focused that this is highly notifiable task in science to improve the characteristics of such material found in crystals, minerals, and gemstones.
What method was used in the research?
First, they collected the 3-dimensional scattering maps while experimenting synchrotron at ESRF. Those maps had full information and details regarding the crystal structure and their response to the electric field. Then they made a mathematical method to extract the related information from those maps. The crystals which were selected for study and research purposes were put in a specific cell for the application of electric field. an alumnus of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Tikhon Vergentiev developed the cell as part of his Ph.D project during his internship at the ESRF.
Dmitry Chernyshov said "In the framework of one experiment we were able to see how the different levels of the structural hierarchy react to external influences: if we measure and describe the response of individual components of a complex system, as well as their interaction, it is going to be possible to rationally control the structure and properties of such materials".
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The research said that crystal structure can be defined in various spatial scales. Atomic-level can briefly define the structure or large blocks of atomic structure (domains, boundaries between domains, structural defects). The external condition such as heat, temperature and pressure effects on the structure. With the change in external factors of pressure, heat and temperature allow all the component of structure to react differently. The researchers studied the response of the crystals to the electric field which comes in its atomic or domain structures.
The researchers are hopeful that after results of such research can give us a lot of benefits in terms of making tools of the large structure. It will help scientists to tune the chemical compositions, materials and crystal structure. They would be able to use advanced tools for manipulating the large blocks of structure and domain engineering. It can help them in the improvement of such materials which are used in the Ultrasonic Diagnostic Devices.
Reference: Peter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University