Mechanical tailoring of dislocation densities in SrTiO ₃ at room temperature

Dislocation-tuned functional properties such as electrical conductivity, thermal and ferroelectric in oxides are attracting increasing research interest. A prerequisite for harvesting these requires successful introduction control of dislocation density arrangement without forming cracks, which is a great challenge due to their brittle nature. Here, we report simple method mechanically tailor the densities single-crystal perovskite SrTiO3. By using millimeter-sized Brinell indenter, from ?1010 ?1013 m?2 achieved by number indenting cycles. Depending on tip radius load, large crack-free plastic zones over hundreds micrometers created. The multiplication mechanisms discussed, work hardening zone evaluated micro-hardness measurement function density. This approach opens many new opportunities area dislocation-tuned mechanical studies.