Complex Materials II: Structure & Properties

Abstract

The course presents structure-property relationships in complex materials, such as ferroic crystals, heterostructures and disordered materials.

Objective

The aim of the course is to impart detailed knowledge of the structure-property relationships in complex materials, such as ferroic crystals, heterostructures and disordered materials. Students are encouraged to reflect critically on the topics taught in the lecture. They should give critical feedback and in this way structure the progress of the lecture.

Content

In part 1, single crystals and heterostructures will be investigated for unconventional manifestations of ferroic order, such as (anti-) ferromagnetism, ferroelectricity, ferrotoroidicity and in particular the coexistence of two or more of these. Domains and their interaction are of particular interest. They are visualized by laser-optical and force microscopy techniques. Very often the (multi-)ferroic order is a consequence of the competing interactions between spins, charges, orbitals, and lattices. This interplay is resolved by ultrafast laser spectroscopy with access to the sub-picosecond timescale. Part 2 focuses on the synthesis and processing of amorphous materials using physical routes. The resulting structure is discussed, as well as their thermodynamics and kinetics. The course focuses in particular on the relationships between the structure of glassy metals and other disordered materials and their resulting mechanical, thermophysical, biomedical and electronic properties. As to processing, new manufacturing routes such as 3D printing of metals are also introduced.

Resources