ISSN:
1077-3118
Source:
AIP Digital Archive
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
A simple and reliable method which allows one to distinguish between the two major microscopic scenarios for the suppression of the switching polarization (Prs), i.e., pinning of ferroelectric domain walls (DWs) through the Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 film (PZT) (bulk scenario) and inhibition of the growth of opposite domains due to the nucleus suppression at the electrode interfaces (interface scenario), is proposed. In addition, a new electric treatment able to significantly suppress Prs in Pt–PZT–Pt ferroelectric capacitors (FECAPs) of thicknesses above 1.4 μm, was discovered and studied. It consists of the application of an external alternating electric field (Ee) which cycles the polarization at very low frequency (1.7 mHz). After only 10–20 cycles, Prs can be suppressed by a factor of 10. The same FECAP, when subjected to Ee at higher frequency (30 kHz), endures at least 108 switches, before attaining an equivalent Prs suppression (hereafter called fatigue). The fatigued states obtained with the two different procedures appear to be different. In the first case (slow cycling) it is suggested that the suppression of Prs is related to the DW pinning scenario, whereas in the second case—which corresponds to the normal fatiguing procedure—it is related to the interface scenario. © 1998 American Institute of Physics.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.121386
Permalink