Tuning photostriction in (PbTiO$_{3}$)$_{n}$/(SrTiO$_{3}$)$_{m}$ superlattices via chemical composition: An $\textit{ab-initio}$ study

TL;DR

This study uses first-principles calculations to demonstrate how varying chemical composition in (PbTiO3)n/(SrTiO3)m superlattices can tune their light-induced mechanical deformation, offering new avenues for optomechanical device design.

Contribution

The paper introduces a method to control photostriction in superlattices through chemical composition, supported by analytical models predicting critical compositions with no photostriction.

Findings

Photostriction can be tuned by changing PbTiO3 fraction.

Identified a critical PbTiO3 fraction with no photostriction.

Provided analytical models explaining deformation behavior.

Abstract

Light-induced mechanical deformations in single-domain (PbTiO$_{3}$)$_{n}$/(SrTiO$_{3}$)$_{m}$ superlattices were simulated using first-principle calculations. By varying the chemical fraction PbTiO$_{3}$, we discover that these heterostructures' photostrictive behavior can be tuned quantitatively and qualitatively. Additionally, we present simple analytical models to explain the calculated deformations and predict a critical PbTiO$_{3}$ fraction with no photostriction. In addition to the report in [1], our results present another way for tuning the photostrictive behavior of (PbTiO$_{3}$)$_{n}$/(SrTiO$_{3}$)$_{m}$ superlattices, which could be utilized for innovative optomechanical applications.