Domain structure and polarization reversal in ferroelectrics studied by atomic force microscopy

Authors

Alexei Gruverman, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
O. Kolosov, Joint Research Center for Atom Technology (JRCAT), Angstrom Technology Partnership, 1-1-4 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305, Japan
J. Hatano, Science University of Tokyo, Noda,Japan
K. Takahashi, National Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305, Japan
H. Tokumoto, JRCAT, National Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research, 1-1-4 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305, Japan

Date of this Version

January 2005

Comments

Published in J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B 13(3), May/Jun 1995. Copyright ©1995 American Vacuum Society. Used by permission.

Abstract

The ferroelectric domain structure and its dynamics under applied electric field have been studied with nanoscale resolution by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Two mechanisms responsible for the contrast between opposite domains are proposed: large built-in domains are delineated in friction mode due to the tip–sample electrostatic interaction, and small domains created by an external field are imaged in topography mode due to piezoelectric deformation of the crystal. The ability of effective control of ferroelectric domains by applying a voltage between the AFM tip and the bottom electrode is demonstrated. It is experimentally confirmed that the sidewise growth of domain proceeds through the nucleation process on the domain wall.