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The most characteristic functional property of antiferroelectric materials is the possibility to induce a phase transition from a nonpolar to a polar phase by an electric field. Here, we investigate the effect of this field-induced phase transition on the birefringence change of PbZr0.95Ti0.05O3. We use a transparent polycrystalline PbZr0.95Ti0.05O3 film grown on PbTiO3/HfO2/SiO2 with interdigitated electrodes to directly investigate changes in birefringence in a simple transmission geometry. In spite of the polycrystalline nature of the film and its moderate thickness, the field-induced transition produces a sizable effect observable under a polarized microscope. The film in its polar phase is found to behave like a homogeneous birefringent medium. The time evolution of this field-induced birefringence provides information about irreversibilities in the antiferroelectric switching process and its slow dynamics. The change in birefringence has two main contributions: One that responds briskly and a slower one that rises and saturates over a period of as long as 30 min. Possible origins for this long saturation and relaxation times are discussed.

An experimental investigation has been conducted in a low-speed wind tunnel at the University of Nottingham to study the flow separation control capability of a wall-normal plasma jet by DBD plasma actuator over a NACA 0012 aerofoil. As an active flow separation control technique, DBD plasma actuators could be applied when required to manipulate a flow. They are surface-mounted and require no moving parts, ducts, holes or cavities, so no profile drag penalty will be caused. Moreover, they are fast responding since they are purely electrical devices and could be operated at a higher frequency relative to other flow control techniques. DBD plasma actuators are easy to manufacture, low in weight, low energy consuming and can be easily fitted to aerofoils. Therefore, they are ideal tools to control the flow separation around aerofoil. Up to date, wall plasma jet was used to add momentum to flow directly so that flow becomes more energetic and capable of withstanding adverse pressure gradient. In this study, a wall-normal plasma jet by steady actuation of plasma actuator was investigated and PIV results show that it has the capability of controlling the separation around aerofoil at post-stall angles of attack. The wall-normal jet is bent towards freestream direction and some small-scale vortical structures are created due to the interaction between the wall-normal plasma jet and freestream. These vortical structures could promote mixing and transport high-momentum fluids into the boundary layer, which affects the flow above the suction surface significantly. Moreover, unsteady actuation of plasma actuator was also utilised to control the flow separation around aerofoil. It was found that it has a stronger ability to control flow separation even at a much lower energy consumption than steady actuation of plasma actuator. PIV measurements demonstrate that separated flow could be reattached at post-stall angle of attack of 14° with only 10% of the energy consumption by ste