Domain structures of ferroelectric thin film controlled by oxidizing atmosphere

Abstract

Evolutions of domain morphology in the ferroelectric thin film subjected to the oxidizing atmosphere were predicted by using the phase field simulations, which incorporate the long-range electrostatic interactions and ionic surface charges. Due to effect of the oxidizing atmosphere, it is found that the ionic surface charges carried by oxygen can effectively change the internal electric filed, control the polarization orientation, and drive the domain wall motion of the ferroelectric thin film. Domain structures were simulated and also reveal that domain morphology of the ferroelectric thin film can be adjusted from a multi-domain to a mono-domain with increasing of the ionic charge density.