Charles Paillard

Charles Paillard is a Research Professor at the Laboratory Structures, Properties and Modeling of Solids (SPMS), Université Paris-Saclay, France. He conducts advanced research on ferroelectric, multiferroic and oxide materials using state-of-the-art ab-initio and multiscale modelling techniques.

Education & Qualifications:

• HDR (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches) — French post-doctoral degree qualifying for full professorship.

Research Interests
Paillard’s work spans several tightly connected themes:

• Ferroelectric & Multiferroic Physics: fundamental mechanisms of polarization, magnetoelectric coupling, and domain-wall dynamics.
• Photostriction & Light-Control: light-induced mechanical strain in oxides such as BiFeO₃ and BaTiO₃, enabling remote actuation.
• Two-Dimensional Ferroelectrics & Oxide Superlattices: electro-optic, elasto-optic and piezoelectric responses in van-der-Waals and epitaxial heterostructures.
• Neuromorphic Oxides: leveraging relaxor ferroelectrics for brain-inspired, low-power memory and synaptic devices.
• Computational Methodology: finite-temperature ab-initio calculations, multiscale modelling, and high-throughput design of multifunctional materials.

Recent Publication Landscape
Between 2024 and 2025 Paillard (co-)authored 15 high-impact works. The dominant themes are (i) light-matter interactions in ferroelectrics (photostriction, photo-induced phase transitions), (ii) electro-optic and elasto-optic phenomena in 2-D and oxide thin films, and (iii) domain-wall mediated magnetoelectric excitations in multiferroics. These studies combine predictive theory with experimental collaborations and point toward applications in photonics, neuromorphic computing and ultrafast optical control.

Scientific Awards & Distinctions

• HDR (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches) — attests to internationally recognized research leadership.

Advising & Collaborative Grants
Active collaborations include joint publications with researchers from US, Chinese, and European institutions (e.g., University of Arkansas, Xi’an Jiaotong University, ETH Zürich). Specific grant details are not disclosed in the supplied text, but the breadth and number of co-authored works indicate substantial national and international funding.

Labs & Teams
Paillard is a key member of the SPMS Laboratory within CentraleSupélec/Université Paris-Saclay. The group hosts advanced computational facilities and coordinates closely with experimental teams in nanofabrication, synchrotron, and neutron-scattering centers.