Field-Dependent Domain Distortion and Interlayer Polarization Distribution in PbTiO3/SrTiO3 Superlattices

Pice Chen, Margaret P. Cosgriff, Qingteng Zhang, Sara J. Callori, Bernhard W. Adams, Eric M. Dufresne, Matthew Dawber, and Paul G. Evans
Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 047601 – Published 24 January 2013

Abstract

The remnant polarization of weakly coupled ferroelectric-dielectric superlattices is distributed unequally between the component layers, and as a result the components respond differently to applied electric fields. The difference is apparent in both the nanometer-scale structure of striped polarization domains and in the development of piezoelectric strain and field-induced polarization. Both effects are probed with in situ time-resolved synchrotron x-ray diffraction in a PbTiO3/SrTiO3 superlattice in fields up to 2.38MV/cm. Domains are initially distorted to increase the polarization in the SrTiO3 layer while retaining the striped motif. The subsequent transformation to a uniform polarization state at a later time leads to piezoelectric expansion dominated by the field-induced polarization of the SrTiO3 layers. The results are consistent with theoretical predictions of the field dependence of the domain structure and electrical polarization.

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  • Received 5 November 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.047601

© 2013 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Pice Chen1, Margaret P. Cosgriff1, Qingteng Zhang1, Sara J. Callori2, Bernhard W. Adams3, Eric M. Dufresne3, Matthew Dawber2, and Paul G. Evans1,*

  • 1Department of Materials Science and Engineering & Materials Science Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
  • 2Department of Physics and Astronomy, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, USA
  • 3Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA

  • *evans@engr.wisc.edu

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Vol. 110, Iss. 4 — 25 January 2013

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