3D self-consistent mesoscopic model of polarization switching

The field-driven polarization dynamics over a wide time scale plays a crucial role in a range of applications, from non-volatile memories (FeRAM) and sensors to fuel injection applications.The polarization reversal under... [ view full abstract ]

The field-driven polarization dynamics over a wide time scale plays a crucial role in a range of applications, from non-volatile memories (FeRAM) and sensors to fuel injection applications.

The polarization reversal under applied voltage occurs in different parts of a material with different switching times [1]. As the switching time is strongly field dependent [2], it was supposed that the local switching time distribution is caused by the local electrical field distribution (the inhomogeneous field mechanism model) [3]. This model as well as the previous statistical approach [1] neglects the feedback from the emerging depolarization field.

Recently a self-consistent 2D model to describe polarization reversal taking into account the local field distribution was developed [4]. However, the 2D model allows simulation of materials with only tetragonal symmetries.

The latter model is now extend to 3D. That makes possible to consider ceramics of orthorhombic, tetragonal and rhombohedral symmetries. The influence of different symmetries on the field distributions and polarization kinetics is studied with account of correlation effects. The model also gives a possibility to estimate surface charge fluctuations and compare them with analytical calculations [6].

References
[1] A. K. Tagantsev, I. Stolichnov, N. Setter, J. S. Cross, and M. Tsukada, Phys. Rev. B 66, 214109 (2002).
[2] W. J. Merz, Phys. Rev. 95, 690 (1954).

[3] Y. A. Genenko, S. Zhukov, S. V. Yampolskii, J. Schütrumpf, R. Dittmer, W. Jo, H.     Kungl, M. J. Hoffmann, and H. von Seggern, Adv. Funct. Mater. 22, 2058 (2012).

[4] Y. A. Genenko, J. Wehner, and H. von Seggern, J. Appl. Phys. 114, 084101 (2013).

[5] R. Khachaturyan, J. Wehner, and Y. A. Genenko, Phys. Rev. 96, 054113 (2017).

[6] Y. A. Genenko, J. Glaum, O. Hirsch, H. Kungl, M. J. Hoffmann, and T. Granzow, Phys. Rev. B 80, 224109 (2009).