Probing Perovskite Phenomena: Polarons, Polarization, Polarity and Pertinent Problems

Perovskites exhibit outstanding performance in applications such as photocatalysis, electrochemistry, photovoltaics, and non-linear optics. It is a common perception that lead iodide perovskites are among the most promising candidates to replace silicon solar cells, whereas oxide perovskites exhibit extraordinary photocatalytic potential as it has already been proved that tantalates hold the record efficiencies for solar water splitting. Reasons for all above are not always straightforward as there are many intertwined effects in play.

In this presentation I would like to show ways to measure and understand bulk and surface properties of various oxide perovskites, starting from the macroscopic phenomena such as electrooptic effects, through ferroelectricity and concluding with probing single atoms and electrical charges in real space.