Laser and Photonic Sintering for Ultrafast Synthesis of Multifunctional Materials with Novel Microst

Laser and Photonic Sintering for Ultrafast Synthesis of Multifunctional Materials with Novel MicrostructuresThe rising interest in l,aser and photonic source assisted processing over past few years has confirmed the relevance of this technique for rapid processing,of electronic materials with novel microstructures and domain structures. The availability of diverse range of lasers and photonic s,intering systems (also referred as flash lamp annealing or UV assisted sintering) with extended control on sintering parameters allo,ws them to be employed for wide variety of materials covering metals and alloys, ceramics, polymers, and composites. Photonic sinter,ing can induce spatially resolved thermal effects enabling excellent control over material modifications. Recent developments in fla,sh lamp technology combined with enhanced fundamental understanding of light-material interactions will provide new direction for Do,D relevant materials development and functional improvement. This program will allow acquisition of photonic sintering system, Pulse,nd multiferroic thin films.Technological advances in development of diverse range of lasers and photonic light sources have provided, opportunity for ultrafast processing of functional materials (processing time is reduced from hours to few seconds). Light-based pr,ocessing of materials involves their exposure to rapid and localized energy, which creates conditions of electronic and thermodynami,c non-equilibrium. The light-induced heat can be localized in space and time, enabling excellent control over the manipulation of ma,terials. Focus in this program will be on sintering of metal oxides which are of significant interest for applications ranging from,microelectronics to sensors to energy harvesting. Extensive investigations will be conducted on synthesis, manipulation, and pattern,ing of metal oxide films and nanostructures using photonic sintering to reveal the principles governing the laser-material interacti,ons. Photonic sintering systems operating in programmed or pulsed modes over wide range of wavelengths will be employed to induce co,ntrolled heating effects, chemical reactions, and other complex phenomena in functional metal oxides. In conjunction with photonic s,intering, laser irradiation will also be utilized to understand the differences in obtained physical properties and functional perfo,rmance. Grain growth, reaction kinetics, and defect migration studies will be performed by conducting individual and coupled paramet,ric investigations. Another focus in the program will be on understanding the correlation between the process parameters and the res,ultin,in-situ studies are needed to provide insight into real-time light-induced enhancements in the physical properties and functional pe,rformance. The use of photonic source and lasers for mass production and large-area roll-to-roll fabrication of functional materials, and nanostructures is still in the early stages of development and these in-situ studies will provide much needed foundation to adv,ance the progress. For long-term progress of light-based manufacturing, interdisciplinary theoretical and experimental approaches wi,ll be pursued to provide understanding of light-induced functional changes at different length and time scales. This is one of the o,verarching goals of this program. The advancement in photonic processing provided through this program will lay down the pathway for, future commercial development of manufacturing processes for functional oxides.This proposal does not include any proprietary infor,mation. Publicly releasable.