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Anisotropy

Breakthrough Research Reveals Anisotropic Dispersion of Flexophonons and Flexoferrons in Van der Waals Ferrielectrics

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine have made a significant discovery regarding the influence of flexoelectric coupling on the fluctuations of electric polarization and elastic strains in van der Waals ferrielectrics. According to their study, the dispersion law of soft optical and acoustic phonons (flexophonons) and ferrons (flexoferrons) is strongly anisotropic and depends on the magnitude and direction of an applied electric field. This breakthrough has the potential to impact the field of flexo-engineering, particularly in the development of van der Waals ferrielectrics.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research revealed that the dispersion law of flexophonons and flexoferrons in van der Waals ferrielectrics is strongly anisotropic and depends on the magnitude and direction of an applied electric field.
  • The study found that the frequency of acoustic flexophonons and flexoferrons tends to zero at nonzero wavevectors under an increase in the applied electric field.
  • The critical strength of flexocoupling is determined by the magnitude of the electric field and the direction of the wavevector.
  • A method has been proposed for estimating the strength of flexocoupling in van der Waals ferrielectrics, provided that the frequency of the acoustic flexophonon is zeroing at the threshold value of the electric field.
  • The research has significant implications for the field of flexo-engineering, particularly in the development of van der Waals ferrielectrics.
  • The study has been peer-reviewed and has potential applications in the field of materials science.

Statistics:

  • The study was funded by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and the Horizon Europe Framework Programme.
  • The research was conducted at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Institute for Problems in Materials Science.
  • 6 authors contributed to the study, including Eugene A. Eliseev, Anna N. Morozovska, Yujie Zhu, Jia-Mian Hu, Yulian M. Vysochanskii, and Long-Qing Chen.
  • The Journal of Applied Physics published the study in its November 2025 issue.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Study Data from National Academy of Sciences of UKraine Update Knowledge of Applied Physics (The Influence of Electric Field On the Anisotropic Dispersion of the Flexocoupling Induced Phonons and Ferrons In Van Der Waals Ferrielectrics). Journal of Physics Research. November 4, 2025; p 392.
  • Aip Publishing, 1305 Walt Whitman Rd, Ste 300, Melville, NY 11747-4501, USA. (American Institute of Physics - www.aip.org; Journal of Applied Physics - jap.aip.org)
  • Eugene A. Eliseev, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Institute for Problems in Materials Science, Omeliana Pritsaka St 3, Ua-03142 Kyiv, Ukraine.

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