title: Tuning of the depolarization field and nanodomain structure in ferroelectric thin films.
abstract: The screening efficiency of a metal-ferroelectric interface plays a critical role in determining the polarization stability and hence the functional properties of ferroelectric thin films. Imperfect screening leads to strong depolarization fields that reduce the spontaneous polarization or drive the formation of ferroelectric domains. We demonstrate that by modifying the screening at the metal-ferroelectric interface through insertion of ultrathin dielectric spacers, the strength of the depolarization field can be tuned and thus used to control the formation of nanoscale domains. Using piezoresponse force microscopy, we follow the evolution of the domain configurations as well as polarization stability as a function of depolarization field strength.
authors: DPMC - University of Geneva , 24 Quai Ernest Ansermet, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.
authors: Céline
authors: C
authors: Lichtensteiger
authors: Stéphanie
authors: S
authors: Fernandez-Pena
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Weymann
authors: Pavlo
authors: P
authors: Zubko
authors: Jean-Marc
authors: JM
authors: Triscone