Enhancing electro-optic coupling in novel ferroelectrics for quantum transduction
Abstract
Identifying materials with strong nonlinear optical properties is of paramount importance for many applications, and has recently become particularly relevant in the context of quantum information science. We will study the nonlinear optical properties of novel ferroelectric and incipient ferroelectrics based on heterostructural alloys that display emergent behavior. Our first thrust in the project is focused on carrying out a comprehensive first-principles evaluation of the nonlinear optical properties of AlScN. ScN occurs in the rocksalt structure, but when modest amounts of Sc are added to AlN, the resulting AlScN alloy retains the wurtzite structure and displays enhanced piezoelectricity and even ferroelectricity. The presence of incipient ferroelectricity in the alloys is strongly connected to enhanced nonlinear optical behavior, which we will study with state-of-theart first-principles calculations. In addition to providing quantitative results, we aim to generate insights into the mechanisms that yield the enhanced nonlinear optical properties. Our second thrust is aimed at identifying additional promising materials with superior nonlinear optical properties. One set of materials will be III-nitride alloys similar to AlScN but with other group-III elements, such as B or Y, substituting on the cation site. A second set of materials will be the II-IV-nitrides. II-IV-nitrides with transition metals on the group-IV site look highly promising from the perspective of incipient ferroelectricity and enhanced nonlinear optical properties. Identifying materials with enhanced nonlinear response that can be directly integrated into cavity electro-optics systems will allow for major advances in integrated photonic transduction, and particularly quantum transduction. Disruptive advances in nonlinear optical properties could also prove transformational for many other applications, including lasers and sensors. The phenomena that we aim to investigate are examples of emergent behavior in heterostructural alloys. The materials of interest involve mixing two compounds that have incommensurate crystal structures. Such heterostructural alloys typically exhibit a phase transition and large nonlinearities around a critical composition. The ferroelectric and nonlinear optical properties that will be investigated provide a compelling example, but the project will put us in an excellent position to examine other emergent phenomena as well as promising materials combinations. As an educational institution, UCSB performs fundamental and unclassified research. Any data or information developed or provided by UCSB, including but not limited to publications and reports, shall be unclassified fundamental research exempt from dissemination controls or review requirements. Permission is hereby granted to release this Abstract to the public at large in accordance with DoD s requirements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 08, 2022
- Source ID
- W911NF2210139
Entities
People
- Christian Van De Walle
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of California, Santa Barbara