Domain switching kinetics in disordered ferroelectric thin films

We investigated domain kinetics by measuring the polarization switching behaviors of (111)-preferred polycrystalline Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 films, which are widely used in ferroelectric memories. Their switching behaviors at various electric fields and temperatures could be explained by assuming the Lorentzian distribution of logarithmic domain-switching times. We suggested that the local field variation due to dipole defects at domain pinning sites could explain the Lorentzian distribution.     

Formation of nanodomain structures in lithium niobate as a result of pulsed laser irradiation

The surface nanodomain structures formed in lithium niobate single crystals as a result of pulsed irradiation of polar surfaces with UV and IR lasers have been investigated. The structures formed have been classified. The main features of the domain kinetics during one-dimensional growth at strong deviation from equilibrium have been revealed. A mechanism of polarization switching is proposed and discussed.     

Dipolar Order in Molecular Fluids: II. Molecular Influence

The influence on the short-range packing in dipolar fluids by molecular shape and by additional higher order electrostatic moments has been investigated by molecular dynamic simulations. The dipole polarization was found to decrease as the particles were elongated parallel to the dipole and to increase for elongation perpendicular to the dipole, eventually forming a nematic order. The addition of a quadrupole lead to a reduction of the polarization, and the influence of an axial octupole was weaker and more complex. Both a decrease and an increase of the polarization is possible depending on the relative dipole–dipole and octupole–octupole interaction strengths and the relative direction of the symmetry axes of the moments. These observations were attributed to the different parity of a dipole and a quadrupole and the same parity of a dipole and an axial octupole under reflection. In addition, further insights into the formation of dipole polarization were obtained. Short polar and long equatorial radii and strong dipole–dipole interaction are particle properties that promote a fluid with a high dipole polarization.     

On the theory of pyro- and ferroelectrics: Dipole moment density and polarization

The physical origin of the ambiguity related to the dependence of the polarization on the choice of the unit cell in a crystal is established in the framework of classical electrodynamics. It is shown that the electric polarization of a crystal is determined not only by the charge distribution in the unit cell (dipole moment density) but also by the microscopic mechanism of symmetry breaking in the polar phase. An approach to the calculation of the polarization invariant with respect to the choice of the unit cell is suggested. It is demonstrated that the dependence of the polarization on the mechanism of formation of the polar phase exists in the “modern topological theory” of polarization too.     

Polarization switching kinetics of ferroelectric nanostructures of vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene copolymer

The polarization switching kinetics of ferroelectric polymer Langmuir-Blodgett films and copolymer nanocrystals (nanomesas) was investigated using piezoresponse force microscopy. The nanocrystals were prepared by self-organization from Langmuir-Blodgett films of a 70% vinylidene fluoride and 30% trifluoroethylene copolymer. The polarization switching time exhibits an exponential dependence on reciprocal voltage and decreases with temperature being consistent with the nucleation switching dynamics.     

First principles study of the electric polarization and of its switching in the multiferroic GaFeO3 system

The electric polarization in the multiferroic GaFeO(3) system is determined from its electronic structure using first principles methods and the modern theory of polarization. By carefully following the electric polarization on a path connecting the polar and centrosymmetric structures, it is found to be -25 μC cm(-2), which is ten times larger than a previous estimation given in the literature a few years ago and two times smaller than the value obtained in a recent similar study. The switching of this electric polarization through a centrosymmetric structure is discussed in terms of the total energy barrier. It is exhibited that such a switching is particularly difficult to achieve in relation to the tetrahedral environment of half of the Ga atoms. The switching via domain wall motion is also discussed.     

Electroluminescence and internal screening of domains upon polarization switching of ferroelectric ceramics in a pulsed self-consistent field

This paper reports on the results of investigations into the electroluminescence induced by polarization switching of a ferroelectric ceramic material in an electric field with a rapidly increasing strength. A correlation between the polarization switching and luminescence kinetics is revealed. It is demonstrated that tunneling of electrons to the conduction band and impact ionization in field concentrators are the main mechanisms of generation of free charge carriers responsible for the electroluminescence and internal screening of switching domains.     

Dual nature of improper ferroelectricity in a magnetoelectric multiferroic

Using first-principles calculations, we study the microscopic origin of ferroelectricity (FE) induced by magnetic order in the orthorhombic HoMnO3. We obtain the largest ferroelectric polarization observed in the whole class of improper magnetic ferroelectrics to date. We find that the two proposed mechanisms for FE in multiferroics, lattice and electronic based, are simultaneously active in this compound: a large portion of the ferroelectric polarization arises due to quantum-mechanical effects of electron orbital polarization, in addition to the conventional polar atomic displacements. An interesting mechanism for switching the magnetoelectric domains by an electric field via a 180 degrees coherent rotation of Mn spins is also proposed.     

Thermodynamics and kinetics of the initial stages of polarization switching in ferroelectrics

The thermodynamics and kinetics of polarization switching in ferroelectrics are studied in the specific case of switching in intrinsic ferroelectrics with 180° domains. The initial stage of the switching in the region of weak metastability is analyzed. An expression relating the critical domain size to the switching field is derived. An equation describing the evolution of the size distribution function of the switched domains is obtained. Expressions for calculating the number of polarization switching nuclei as a function of the switching field are derived.     

Switching control of spontaneous emission by polarized atoms in two-dimensional photonic crystals

We calculate the lifetime distribution function of an assembly of polarized atoms in two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystals (PCs) at different polarization orientations of atomic dipole moments. We reveal a switching effect of atomic spontaneous emission (SE) and find a significant change of atomic lifetime, up to a factor of 33, by tuning the polarized orientation of the atoms. These observations suggest that the tuning of the polarized orientation of atoms provides a new way for the effective control of atomic SE processes in 2D PCs.     

Multiferroic behavior in trimerized Mott insulators

We demonstrate multiferroic behavior in trimerized Mott insulators through the interplay between spins and electric dipole moments resulting from electronic charge fluctuations in frustrated units. The model consists of stacked triangular layers of trimers with small intertrimer exchange interactions J' and J'. Ferroelectric states coexist with ferro- or antiferromagnetic orderings depending on the value of the magnetic field H and the sign of the interlayer exchange J'. The electric polarization undergoes abrupt changes as a function of H.     

Flexoelectric effect modelling

A statistical theory of dipole flexoelectric (FE) polarization in liquid crystals is used to calculate temperature dependence of order parameters, elastic constants and FE coefficients. Two systems with polar wedge-shaped and banana-shaped molecules are investigated. In both cases, the FE coefficients are proportional to the dipole moment component parallel to the molecule symmetry axis. It results from the symmetries of interactions and of the Mayer function. The origin of the FE effect and microscopic pictures of the distorted phases are discussed.     

Polarization switching kinetics in ferroelectrics in the region of strong metastability

The thermodynamics and kinetics of polarization switching in ferroelectrics are studied in the framework of the field theory in the vicinity of the critical point of first-order phase transitions. The study is exemplified by the switching of intrinsic ferroelectrics with 180° domains. An expression describing the dependence of the domain critical size on the switching field is derived. The switching process is studied at high switching fields. Relationships for calculating the field dependence of the number of switched domains are obtained.     

Imaging single-molecule dichroism

Video-enhanced optical fluorescence microscopy has been used to determine the direction of the transition dipole moment of individual molecules. Fast electro-optical switching of the polarization of the excitation allowed us to detect the linear dichroism of single fluorophores in solid phospholipid membranes. Quantitative analysis of the fluorescence signal showed that rotational mobility is absent in solid biomembranes.     

Three‐Dimensional,Time‐Resolved Profiling of Ferroelectric Domain Wall Dynamics by Spectral‐Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

We apply here spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) for the precise detection and temporal tracking of ferroelectric domain walls (DWs) in magnesium‐doped periodically poled lithium niobate (Mg:PPLN). We reproducibly map static DWs at an axial (depth) resolution down to ～ 0.6 μm, being located up to 0.5 mm well inside the single crystalline Mg:PPLN sample. We show that a full 3‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the DW geometry is possible from the collected data, when applying a special algorithm that accounts for the nonlinear optical dispersion of the material. Our OCT investigation provides valuable reference information on the DWs’ polarization charge distribution, which is known to be the key to the electrical conductivity of ferroelectric DWs in such systems. Hence, we carefully analyze the SD‐OCT signal dependence both when varying the direction of incident polarization, and when applying electrical fields along the polar axis. Surprisingly, the large backreflection intensities recorded under extraordinary polarization are not affected by any electrical field, at least for field strengths below the switching threshold, while no significant signals above noise floor are detected under ordinary polarization. Finally, we employed the high‐speed SD‐OCT setup for the real‐time DW tracking upon ferroelectric domain switching under high external fields.     

Correlation between diode polarization and resistive switching polarity in Pt/TiO2/Pt memristive device

We have investigated the correlation between diode polarization and switching polarity in electroformed Pt/TiO₂/Pt memristive device. Before forming, the diode direction of the Pt/TiO₂/Pt device is reversible under the current pulses with varying current amplitude. The diode polarization arises from oxygen vacancy migration in fully depleted Pt/TiO₂/Pt films. The measurement results indicated that only the polarized diode can be electroformed and the metallic suboxide filament is created in parallel to the diode with a switching polarity dependent on the polarization of stack prior to forming. The non‐polar state inhibits field concentration at either end of the device at the specified current, preventing the electroforming. On and off state currents are measured at 0.2 V for 5 × 10⁴ s showing good retention, which is promising for non‐volatile memory application. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Fractal model for polarization switching kinetics in ferroelectric crystals

The kinetics of polarization switching in ferroelectric crystals is studied using the concept of fractals. The switching process is found to be multifractal. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 69, 128–129 (May 1999)