![]()
Professor
- Solid State Research Laboratory ( SSRL) , Department of Physics.
We currently reside in the era dominated by silicon, a fundamental element in microelectronics that underpins a significant portion of our contemporary lifestyle. Nevertheless, owing to the inherent limitations imposed by the size of silicon atoms, which constitute these materials, the silicon technology is approaching its ultimate boundaries. This limitation arises from the fact that magnetic materials have a close association with silicon across various technological applications. While silicon processes information, magnetic materials serve as repositories for this data. However, magnetic technologies are accompanied by a drawback: generating the necessary magnetic fields necessitates bulky components that consume substantial energy resources. As a result, it is imperative to transcend the confines of the silicon era and cultivate novel materials; otherwise, humanity's progress could be stifled by an energy bottleneck.
In this context, materials that possess both magnetic and ferroelectric attributes emerge as a promising solution, as they retain the advantages of magnetic materials while being amenable to manipulation using electric fields. Electric fields offer an efficient means of control and can be harnessed within diminutive components, rendering their energy consumption minuscule when juxtaposed with magnetic fields. Multiferroic materials represent a suitable choice for propelling technological advancement beyond the silicon age. These materials exhibit concurrent ferroelectric and magnetic properties, capturing considerable attention due to their multifunctional applications in recent times. Consequently, the rapid evolution and extensive applications within the realm of materials science have spurred the necessity for a dedicated laboratory to facilitate education and research across various tiers.
Our research group has concentrated on both single-phase and multiphase multiferroics. We are particularly intrigued by the fabrication of bi-layer thin films exhibiting enhanced magnetoelectric characteristics, largely influenced by structural strains. Crafting single-phase multiferroics presents itself as a formidable challenge. Furthermore, the coexistence of ferromagnetism/ferrimagnetism and ferroelectricity within single-phase materials remains rare and exceptionally intricate. This challenge has catalyzed the development of composite multiferroic materials. Our pursuit involves generating a novel category of ferrite-ferroelectric composites with heightened properties, thereby expanding the existing comprehension of this class of materials. These composites, synthesized within the laboratory, will possess multifunctional attributes: serving as composite materials while simultaneously functioning as independent ferrites and ferroelectric materials (both of which harbour significant applications).
The Solid-State Research Laboratory will serve as a vital resource, endowing scholars interested in experimental solid-state physics with essential facilities to conduct their research. Through our endeavours, we aim to contribute to the broader scientific understanding and applications of these innovative materials.
Physics