Displacement charge patterns and ferroelectric domain wall dynamics studied by in-situ TEM

A. Krishnan, Michael Treacy, M. E. Bisher, P. Chandra, P. B. Littlewood

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have observed the growth of domains in ferroelectric barium titanate and potassium niobate using a transmission electron microscope. When domains move in response to electric fields we see a scaling effect where the fine scale domain structure is activated first, followed by larger length-scale patterns. Curvature and tilting of domain walls leads to local uncompensated displacement charge and external fields can interact with these charged walls. In this paper, we posit that the presence of displacement charge on domain walls is important for polarization switching. Charge-neutral domain configurations are in a lower energy state and are harder to switch. We argue that the number of charge-neutral, low energy domain configurations can increase with time. This mechanism provides an intrinsic contribution to ferroelectric fatigue.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMaterials Research Society Symposium - Proceedings
PublisherMaterials Research Society
Pages161-166
Number of pages6
Volume596
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes
EventFerroelectric Thin Films VIII - Boston, MA, USA
Duration: Nov 29 1999Dec 2 1999

Other

OtherFerroelectric Thin Films VIII
CityBoston, MA, USA
Period11/29/9912/2/99

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

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