Computer simulations of switching behaviour in an orthorhombic ferroelectric model

Abstract

Molecular-dynamics simulations of the switching process in the ferroelectric commensurate 1/3 three-dimensional model crystal have been carried on. Three stages of domain kinetics were observed, nucleation of new domains, growth of new domains, and the annealing process which reverses concurrent domains and leads to a single domain. The corresponding relaxation times have been derived from the coercive field as a function of external electric field frequency. We have found also that the time at which the repolarization current reaches a maximum characterizes the moment from which the amount of newly growing domains decreases, but the domain sizes increase.

Key Words:

• Domain structure
• Phase transitions
• Switching current
• Computer simulation