Studies on the control of crystal chirality by an external field

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26610103
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Condensed matter physics II
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Kimura Kenta 大阪大学, 基礎工学研究科, 助教 (70586817)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: カイラリティ / フェロイック / ドメイン / 電気磁気効果

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Crystal chirality, a label defining the handedness of a system without improper mirror symmetry, is known as a source for a variety of functional properties of materials. In this research, we have studied the control of crystal chirality by an external field. We have shown that, when crystal chirality is coupled to other ferric order, the crystal chirality can be controlled through the field-induced switching of the ferroic domains. Moreover, we have successfully synthesized a new chiral material family. Then, we have introduced a concept of "qualitative chirality strength" and proposed that this concept can be useful for understanding chirality-driven material properties including the controllability of chirality.

Free Research Field

固体物理