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Title: Finite size effects in ferroelectric-semiconductor thin films under open-circuit electric boundary conditions

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4906139· OSTI ID:1265460
 [1]; ORCiD logo [2];  [3]
  1. NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv (Ukraine). Inst. of Problems for Material Sciences
  2. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Science (CNMS)
  3. NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv (Ukraine). Inst. of Physics

General features of finite size effects in the ferroelectric-semiconductor film under open-circuit electric boundary conditions are analyzed using Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire theory and continuum media electrostatics. The temperature dependence of the film critical thickness, spontaneous polarization and depolarization field profiles of the open-circuited films are found to be significantly different from the characteristics of short-circuited ones. In particular, we predict the re-entrant type transition boundary between the mono-domain and poly-domain ferroelectric states due to reduced internal screening efficiency and analyzed possible experimental scenarios created by this mechanism. Performed analysis is relevant for the quantitative description of free-standing ferroelectric films phase diagrams and polar properties. Also our results can be useful for the explanation of the scanning-probe microscopy experiments on free ferroelectric surfaces.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
1265460
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 117, Issue 3; ISSN 0021-8979
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 28 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (6)

Thermooptical evidence of carrier-stabilized ferroelectricity in ultrathin electrodeless films journal May 2018
Hysteretic phenomena in GFET: Comprehensive theory and experiment journal July 2017
Surface-screening mechanisms in ferroelectric thin films and their effect on polarization dynamics and domain structures journal January 2018
Graphene Exfoliation at a Ferroelectric Domain Wall Induced by the Piezoelectric Effect: Impact on the Conductance of the Graphene Channel journal November 2017
Neumann boundary conditions with null external quasi-momenta in finite systems journal July 2019
Defect driven flexo-chemical coupling in thin ferroelectric films text January 2017