Strain effects on domain structures in ferroelectric thin films from phase‐field simulations

Strain and applied external electric fields are known to influence domain evolution and associated ferroelectric responses in ferroelectric thin films. Here, phase‐field simulations are used to predict equilibrium domain structures and polarization‐field (P‐E) hysteresis loops of lead zirconate tita...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the American Ceramic Society 2018-10, Vol.101 (10), p.4783-4790
Main Authors: Lin, Fang‐Yin, Cheng, Xiaoxing, Chen, Long‐Qing, Sinnott, Susan B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coercivity
domains
Energy distribution
Evolution
Ferroelectric materials
Ferroelectricity
ferroelectricity/ferroelectric materials
hysteresis
Hysteresis loops
Lead zirconate titanates
Polarization
simulation
strain
Thin films
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Summary:Strain and applied external electric fields are known to influence domain evolution and associated ferroelectric responses in ferroelectric thin films. Here, phase‐field simulations are used to predict equilibrium domain structures and polarization‐field (P‐E) hysteresis loops of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films under a series of mismatch strains, ranging from strongly tensile to strongly compressive. In particular, the evolution of domains and the P‐E curves under different applied strains reveal the mesoscale mechanism, the appearance of in‐plane polarization during domain switching, that is responsible for a relatively small coercive field and remnant polarization. A Landau energy distribution is analyzed to better understand the domain evolution under various strain conditions. The results provide guidance for choice of mismatched strains to yield the desired P‐E hysteresis loops and the domain structures.
ISSN:0002-7820
1551-2916
DOI:10.1111/jace.15705