UC Davis Researchers Discover Reversible Photostriction in Perovskite Crystals, Enabling New Generation of Light-Controlled Semiconductor Devices

UC Davis researchers find that perovskite crystals reversibly change shape when exposed to light, paving the way for advanced light-controlled sensors and chips.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 3:28 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from University of California - Davis

The Discovery of Photostriction in Halide Perovskites

A significant breakthrough in materials science has revealed that halide perovskites possess a unique mechanical response to light that is absent in conventional semiconductors like silicon. Researchers at UC Davis, led by Professor Marina Leite, have documented a phenomenon known as photostriction, where the crystal lattice of the material physically bends or shifts upon exposure to a stimulus. This discovery moves perovskites beyond their well-known role in high-efficiency solar cells and into the realm of active, "smart" materials capable of mechanical movement triggered by optical input.

Mechanical Versatility Over Traditional Silicon

The chemical composition of perovskites—which can include both organic and inorganic species—gives them distinct advantages over rigid inorganic semiconductors like gallium arsenide. While traditional chips remain static, perovskite crystals are dynamic; they can be pictured as a central atom housed within an octahedron of six atoms, all contained inside a cubic lattice. When laser light is applied, this intricate internal geometry alters in a way that is both rapid and repeatable, offering a level of structural flexibility that could be harnessed to create entirely new classes of electronic components.

Quantifying the Lattice Response with X-Ray Probes

To measure the subtle shifts in the material's atomic arrangement, the research team employed a combination of laser stimulation and X-ray probing. Graduate student Mansha Dubey found that the exposure to light caused a dramatic, measurable change in the lattice structure. Crucially, the effect was found to be fully reversible, meaning the crystal returns to its original shape once the light source is removed. This durability allows the material to be used in applications requiring thousands of cycles, such as high-frequency optical switches or long-lasting environmental sensors.