Order in Materials

Abstract

The aim is an overview of the different ordering phenomena that occur in materials: magnetic, electrical, mechanical, structural. Special emphasis is placed on a comprehensive definition of the term "ferroic". Novel forms of order, such as multiferroicity, are of particular interest. Their exploration and the material functionalities derived from these are a central theme in our Department.

Objective

Ferromagnetism is known to humankind for 2500 years, but there are many other forms of spontaneously ordered states in nature that wait to be explored. One of these is ferroelectricity, the spontaneous electric order of a materials, which rapidly gains importance in science and technology. It is the aim of this course to learn what actually defines a state as ferroic, what forms of ordering are known or newly proposed, and what kind of materials and functionalities are related to ferroic materials. We also explore the transition from order to disorder, which is fluent and offers materials properties that are not found in the fully ordered or disordered state. It is an equally important goal that attendees learn to work critically and creatively with the "unfinished knowledge" of a "hot" research field that is in continuous and rapid development. Realizing that scientific results are not eternally true, but need to be constantly challenged and revised if necessary is very important in becoming a researcher working at the forefront of science.

Content

The power of symmetry analysis, aspects of crystallography and group theory, definition and concept of ferroic order, Forms of ferroic order in nature, domains and domain walls, multiferroics and magnetoelectric correlations, dynamical processes and functionalities in ferroic materials, the transition from order to disorder, thermodynamics of such transitions and associated material properties, tour through the Laboratory for Multifunctional Ferroic Materials.

Resources