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arXiv · 0802.0517

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

S. V. Kalinin·S. Jesse·B. J. Rodriguez·Y. H. Chu·R. Ramesh·E. A. Eliseev·A. N. Morozovska
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Abstract

The kinetics and thermodynamics of first order transitions is universally controlled by defects that act as nucleation sites and pinning centers. Here we demonstrate that defect-domain interactions during polarization reversal processes in ferroelectric materials result in a pronounced fine structure in electromechanical hysteresis loops. Spatially-resolved imaging of a single defect center in multiferroic BiFeO3 thin film is achieved, and the defect size and built-in field are determined self-consistently from the single-point spectroscopic measurements and spatially-resolved images. This methodology is universal and can be applied to other reversible bias-induced transitions including electrochemical reactions.

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S. V. Kalinin, S. Jesse, B. J. Rodriguez, Y. H. Chu, R. Ramesh, E. A. Eliseev, A. N. Morozovska. 2008-02-04. Probing the role of single defects on the thermodynamics of electric-field induced phase transitions. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.100.155703

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