title: Polarization-based adjustable memory behavior in relaxor ferroelectrics.
abstract: The irreversible decay of the spontaneous polarization above the phase-transition temperature is a limiting factor in any application of ferroelectric crystals. Here we show that electric fields applied at high temperatures induce a preferred direction in the crystal which is stable even after repeated heating and cooling through the phase transition. This preference in direction leads to a reorientation of domains in the ferroelectric phase. We use pyroelectric measurements to show that the directional preference originates from internal charge carriers interacting with domain walls.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Mineralogie, Universität zu Köln, Zülpicherstrasse 49b, D-50674 Köln, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Granzow
authors.forename: Th
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Woike
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wöhlecke
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Imlau
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kleemann