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

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters

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 Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
965294
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Vol. 100, Issue 15; ISSN 0031-9007
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English