Ferroelectric domain reversal: The role of domain wall conduction1)
B. Sturman2), E. Podivilov
Institute of Automation and Electrometry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
Abstract
Ferroelectric domain reversal is a vast research area relevant
to the fundamental science
and applications as well as to macro and nano scales. An instantaneous
compensation of typically huge
depolarizing electric fields is a key element here. On the other hand,
the domain wall (DW) conduction
is now regarded as a general ferroelectric phenomenon. Being often
separated by big surface
energy barriers in macroscopic experiments, the DW conduction becomes
easily available under the conditions of atomic-force microscopy (AFM).
We claim that the DW conduction has to be regarded as a crucial and
general ingredient of the domain reversal processes. Its importance is in
providing an automatic compensation
of the depolarizing electric fields. The presence of DW conduction
essentially modifies the basics of
domain reversal processes, including the relations for domain nucleus
energies, the domain grows velocities,
and the domain shapes. Concerning AFM applications, domain reversal
theories have to include injection models
from conductive tip electrodes. Below we provide specific primary results
relevant to the basics of DW
conduction mediated ferroelectric domain reversal.