Physics of wurtzite ferroelectrics

Journal Article · Thu Sep 18 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · MRS Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1557/s43577-025-00972-1· OSTI ID:2997115

Moriwake, Hiroki ^[1]; Akkopru-Akgun, Betul ^[2]; Calderon, Sebastian ^[3]; Dickey, Elizabeth C. ^[3]; Gorai, Prashun ^[4]

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1. Nanostructures Research Laboratory, Nagoya (Japan); Institute of Science Tokyo, Yokohama (Japan)
2. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (United States)
3. Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
4. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY (United States)

Ferroelectricity was long considered incompatible with the wurtzite structure, but the recent discovery of switchable polarization in wurtzite alloys has renewed interest in these materials for integrated electronic and memory applications. The development of wurtzite ferroelectrics faces significant technological challenges, which can be addressed through a fundamental physical understanding of their dielectric and ferroelectric properties. This article focuses on the physics that govern the polarization switching behavior, emphasizing the atomic- and meso-scale (domain) mechanisms involved in the transition between polarization states. A distinguishing feature of this article is a deep dive into the role of intrinsic and extrinsic defects—an area that has received limited attention in prior reviews, but is increasingly recognized as central to polarization switching, coercive fields, leakage, and fatigue. We highlight how defect behavior evolves during processing and electrical cycling, often contributing to long-term degradation. We also introduce powerful first-principles defect calculations, common in semiconductors but not yet widespread in ferroelectrics, as tools to understand and design materials. By integrating recent theoretical and experimental insights, we aim to provide a framework for advancing wurtzite ferroelectrics.

• Research Organization: The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: JSPS KAKENHI; MEXT Program; National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0021118
• OSTI ID: 2997115
• Journal Information: MRS Bulletin, Journal Name: MRS Bulletin; ISSN 1938-1425; ISSN 0883-7694
• Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
Defects
Ferroelectrics
Polarization
Wurtzite ferroelectrics