Ferroelectric switching mechanism in SrBi2Ta2O9

Abstract

The ferroelectric switching mechanism in strontium bismuth tantalate [SrBi2Ta2O9 (SBT)] has been studied using in situ transmission electron microscopy observations of the nucleation and growth of polarization domains, such as 180° and 90° domains. Thank to this high density of the antiphase boundary (APB), a switching mechanism in SBT based on the nucleation of new polarization domains at APBs as well as the electrode interfaces put forward and the fatigue-free behavior of SBT with a platinum electrode is explained.

Ferroelectric Domains and Grain Engineering in SrBi2Ta2O9

“…2.11 for the schematic illustration). In contrast to the previously reported observations of irregular 90 domain patterns with curved boundaries [66][67][68] the 90 walls were found to be mostly flat in the studied SBT crystals. This is an unexpected result, because the bending of ferroelastic walls should be easy in SBT due to a very small spontaneous strain S o ¼ b=a À 1 (about 7 Â 10 À4 at room temperature, as calculated by Rae et al [58]).…”

Ferroelectric Domain Structure ofSrBi2Nb2O9Epitaxial Thin Films

“…Indeed a great deal of work on the domain structure of high-ferroelasticdistortion systems has been done [2 -5]. In contrast, only very few preliminary studies on crystallographically welldefined ferroelectric systems of low ferroelastic distortion have been performed [6][7][8], particularly by experimental techniques. Recent simulations [9][10][11][12] have addressed some issues concerning the relative magnitudes of long-range elastic strain, domain wall, and electrostatic and dipole-dipole contributions to ferroelectric domain structure [13][14][15], but a consensus remains to be reached.…”

La-doped effect on the ferroelectric properties of Bi4Ti3O12–SrBi4Ti4O15 thin film fabricated by pulsed laser deposition

“…A HREM 23 and SBT 24 by transmission electron microscope ͑TEM͒ and found that in the polarization reversals, polarization domains nucleate not only at the interface between electrode and ferroelectric capacitors but also at antiphase boundaries ͑APBs͒. 24 As we know, usually the fatigue occurs in PZT thin film with a metal electrode as the nucleation at the electrode interface is suppressed. The fatigue property of SBT will not depend solely on the electrode interface for the existence of the high density of APBs.…”