Probing the role of single defects on thermodynamics of electric-field induced phase transitions

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 UTC 2008 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.155703· OSTI ID:965294

Kalinin, Sergei V ^[1]; Morozovska, A. N. ^[2]; Eliseev, E. A. ^[2]; Rodriguez, Brian J ^[1]

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1. ORNL
2. National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine

The kinetics and thermodynamics of first order transitions is universally controlled by defects that act as nucleation sites and pinning centers for moving transformation fronts. Here we demonstrate that defect-domain interactions during polarization reversal processes in ferroelectric materials result in a pronounced fine structure in electromechanical hysteresis loops. An analytical description of the role of a single defect on transition thermodynamics, loop shape, and data deconvolution for a single dipolar defect is developed. We expect this methodology to be universal and applicable for studying the role of single defects on other reversible bias-induced transitions including crystallization-amorphization in phase change memories and electrochemical reactions.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences
• Sponsoring Organization: ORNL LDRD Seed-Money
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 965294
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 15 Vol. 100; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
DEFECTS
FERROELECTRIC MATERIALS
KINETICS
MAGNETIC FLUX
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
POLARIZATION
THERMODYNAMICS