Virginia TechSingh, GarhiSaraf, Ravi F.Martin, Y.2014-02-032014-02-032003-12-01Singh, G; Saraf, RF; Martin, Y., "Solid-like dynamics in ultrathin films of polymeric liquids," Appl. Phys. Lett. 83, 5410 (2003); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.16371450003-6951http://hdl.handle.net/10919/25274In this letter, we demonstrate that, at mesoscales, nonferroelectric liquid films of poly(dimethyl siloxane) exhibit significant electrostriction not present in the corresponding bulk state. Remarkably, the observed electrostrictive effect has a response time <20 mus in contrast to >5 ms recorded in conventional bulk (ferroelectric) polymers. The emergence of this fast electrostrictive strain in thin films is explained in terms of the amalgamation of two contrasting dynamic features-the influence of a highly mobile, viscous layer (at the air/film interface) on the less-mobile, but fast responding, solid-like layer at the film/substrate interface. The effect is observed for thickness below 200 nm. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.application/pdfen-USIn CopyrightMeltsPhysicsArticle - Refereedhttp://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/journal/apl/83/26/10.1063/1.1637145https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1637145