Super switching and control of in-plane ferroelectric nanodomains in strained thin films

Abstract

With shrinking device sizes, controlling domain formation in nanoferroelectrics becomes crucial. Periodic nanodomains that self-organize into so-called 'superdomains' have been recently observed, mainly at crystal edges or in laterally confined nanoobjects. Here we show that in extended, strain-engineered thin films, superdomains with purely in-plane polarization form to mimic the single-domain ground state, a new insight that allows a priori design of these hierarchical domain architectures. Importantly, superdomains behave like strain-neutral entities whose resultant polarization can be reversibly switched by 90°, offering promising perspectives for novel device geometries.

Superdomain dynamics in ferroelectric-ferroelastic films: Switching, jamming, and relaxation

“…[99] Moreover, Noheda's group has shown that superdomains in PbSrxTi1-xO3 can dominate ferroelectric switching. [100]. These inplane superdomains are strain-neutral, like those in the right-hand side of our Figure 1.…”

Ferroelastic Fingerprints in Methylammonium Lead Iodide Perovskite

“…The Journal of Physical Chemistry 48,56 Since the striped pattern in the MAPbI 3 grains could not be observed in the topography, we conclude that both twinning domains are either oriented in the same non-90°…”

Optically controlled polarization in highly oriented ferroelectric thin films

“…Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique was employed to grow highly oriented PLBZT films on LaNiO 3 (LNO)/LaAlO 3 (LAO) substrate. Initially, LAO substrate was ultrasonicated in acetone for two minutes and then in methanol for 30 minutes to remove the native oxides and impurities present on the substrate before laser ablation.…”