Tailoring a Solar‐Blind Ultraviolet Ferroelectric for Nonlinear Optics Through a Local Symmetry‐Breaking Cascaded Strategy

ABSTRACT Solar‐blind ultraviolet ferroelectrics are emerging as promising nonlinear optical candidates based on the quasi‐phase matching principle. However, their development is hindered by the stringent symmetry requirements and the intrinsic coupling between polarization mechanisms and electronic structures. In this study, we propose a local symmetry‐breaking cascaded strategy, in which molecular‐level asymmetry is transmitted and amplified within a coordination framework to generate macroscopic ferroelectric polarization. Guided by this strategy, a new ferroelectric crystal, NH 3 CH 2 COO∙Li 2 SeO 4 , is obtained with the intrinsic asymmetry of glycine transmitted and amplified by high‐symmetry tetrahedral groups and small‐radius cations. This crystal exhibits a short ultraviolet cutoff edge (216 nm) and typical ferroelectricity (remanent polarization ∼ 8.4 µC/cm 2 , coercive field ∼ 18.8 kV/cm). Importantly, it further achieves the 266 nm output, validating its potential for solar‐blind ultraviolet nonlinear optical applications. Structural analysis and ferroelectric characterization reveal that the macroscopic polarization originates from local symmetry breaking of glycine units, which is transmitted and amplified through the Li–SeO 4 coordination network. This mechanism provides a generalizable design principle for discovering ultraviolet ferroelectrics, opening a promising avenue toward high‐performance solar‐blind ultraviolet nonlinear optical materials.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Materials
Published
2026-08-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.74665
Primary Topic
Crystal Structures and Properties
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Tailoring a Solar‐Blind Ultraviolet Ferroelectric for Nonlinear Optics Through a Local Symmetry‐Breaking Cascaded Strategy

Yali Yang, Hongyuan Sha, Zujian Wang, Fangfang Zhang et al.
Advanced Materials
Crystal Structures and Properties
article

Tailoring a Solar‐Blind Ultraviolet Ferroelectric for Nonlinear Optics Through a Local Symmetry‐Breaking Cascaded Strategy

Yali Yang, Hongyuan Sha, Zujian Wang, Fangfang Zhang, Jiangang He, Xiaoming Yang, Lingfei Lv, Shilie Pan, Zhihua Yang, Chao He, Bingxuan Li, Xifa Long
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Solar‐blind ultraviolet ferroelectrics are emerging as promising nonlinear optical candidates based on the quasi‐phase matching principle. However, their development is hindered by the stringent symmetry requirements and the intrinsic coupling between polarization mechanisms and electronic structures. In this study, we propose a local symmetry‐breaking cascaded strategy, in which molecular‐level asymmetry is transmitted and amplified within a coordination framework to generate macroscopic ferroelectric polarization. Guided by this strategy, a new ferroelectric crystal, NH 3 CH 2 COO∙Li 2 SeO 4 , is obtained with the intrinsic asymmetry of glycine transmitted and amplified by high‐symmetry tetrahedral groups and small‐radius cations. This crystal exhibits a short ultraviolet cutoff edge (216 nm) and typical ferroelectricity (remanent polarization ∼ 8.4 µC/cm 2 , coercive field ∼ 18.8 kV/cm). Importantly, it further achieves the 266 nm output, validating its potential for solar‐blind ultraviolet nonlinear optical applications. Structural analysis and ferroelectric characterization reveal that the macroscopic polarization originates from local symmetry breaking of glycine units, which is transmitted and amplified through the Li–SeO 4 coordination network. This mechanism provides a generalizable design principle for discovering ultraviolet ferroelectrics, opening a promising avenue toward high‐performance solar‐blind ultraviolet nonlinear optical materials.

Advanced Materials
Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics & Chemistry (CN), Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter (CN), University of Science and Technology Beijing (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fujian Provincial Department of Science and Technology
Openalex Percentile: Top 26%
Crystal Structures and Properties
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.