Dynamics of Nanodomains in Epitaxial Thin-Film PbZr_0.65Ti_0.35O₃

Abstract

Epitaxial thin films of rhombohedral perovskite ferroelectric PbZr_0.65Ti_0.35O₃ were grown on MgO and LaAlO₃ substrates using La_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃ bottom electrode. Presence of ferroelectric nanodomains was evidenced by piezoresponse force microscopy. Dynamics of the nanodomains was experimentally studied using low-frequency dielectric spectroscopy in a broad range of conditions.

In the dynamic response, the deviation from the Rayleigh law, hysteresis, and dependence on temperature, frequency, and time are revealed. A fast change of the nanodomain configuration at small fields, clamping of nanodomains at the film-electrode interfaces, and reversible motion of the domain walls are suggested to be responsible for these peculiarities.

Keywords:

• Thin-film
• nanodomain
• dynamic
• dielectric

Acknowledgments

The work was supported by Infotech Oulu Graduate School (M. P.), Academy of Finland (project No 118250), EU FP6 (contract No 027468), and is a part of COST 539 Action.