3D Modeling of Domain Structure Evolution During Discrete Switching in Lithium Niobate

Abstract

The computer simulation was applied for studying the domain structure evolution in the uniaxial ferroelectric plate covered by uniform electrodes. The spatial heterogeneity of the switching caused by incomplete compensation of the depolarization field due to existence of the surface dielectric layer was taken into account. It has been shown that ineffective screening results in correlated nucleation effect leading to formation of self-assembled nanodomain structures. The main features of nanodomain structure evolution predicted by computer simulation were confirmed experimentally.

Keywords:

• Computer simulation
• polarization reversal
• screening retardation
• self-assembling
• nanodomain structures

Acknowledgments

The research was made possible in part by RFBR (grants 08-02-12173-ofr, 08-02-99082-r-ofr, 08-02-90434-Ukr-a, 10-02-96042-r-Ural-a, 10-02-00627-a), RFBR-CNRS (grant 05-02-19648), U.S. CRDF BRHE & FAE (PhD Award RNP 2.2.2.3.16019/Y5-P-05-10), by Federal Agency of Education (contract P870), by Federal Agency of Science and Innovation (contracts 02.740.11.0171 and 02.552.11.7069).