Finding a feasible principle for a future generation of nano-optomechanical systems is a matter of intensive research, because it may provide new device prospects for optoelectronics and nanomanipulation techniques. Here we show that the strain of a ferroelectric crystal can be manipulated to achieve macroscopic, stable, and reproducible dimensional changes using illumination with photon energy below the material bandgap. The photoresponse can be activated without direct light incidence on the actuation area, because the cooperative nature of the phenomenon extends the photoinduced strain to the whole material. These results may be useful for developing the next generation of high-efficiency photocontrolled ferroelectric devices.
Keywords: barium titanate; ferroelectric crystals; light-induced phenomena; photoferroelectrics; photostrain.