Unexpected Controllable Pair-Structure in Ferroelectric Nanodomains

Ivry, Yachin and Chu, Daping and Scott, James F. and Salje, Ekhard K. H. and Durkan, Colm (2011) Unexpected Controllable Pair-Structure in Ferroelectric Nanodomains. Nano Letters, 11 (11). pp. 4619-4625. DOI https://doi.org/10.1021/nl202097y

PDF nl202097y.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (2MB)

Abstract

The imminent inability of silicon-based memory devices to satisfy Moore?s Law is approaching rapidly. Controllable nanodomains of ferroic systems are anticipated to enable future high-density nonvolatile memory and novel electronic devices. We find via piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) studies on lead zirconate titanate (PZT) films an unexpected nanostructuring of ferroelectric-ferroelastic domains. These consist of c-nanodomains within a-nanodomains in proximity to a-nanodomains within c-domains. These structures are created and annihilated as pairs, controllably. We treat these as a new kind of vertex?antivertex pair and consider them in terms of the Srolovitz-Scott 4-state Potts model, which results in pairwise domain vertex instabilities that resemble the vortex?antivortex mechanism in ferromagnetism, as well as dislocation pairs (or disclination pairs) that are well-known in nematic liquid crystals. Finally, we show that these nanopairs can be scaled up to form arrays that are engineered at will, paving the way toward facilitating them to real technologies. The imminent inability of silicon-based memory devices to satisfy Moore?s Law is approaching rapidly. Controllable nanodomains of ferroic systems are anticipated to enable future high-density nonvolatile memory and novel electronic devices. We find via piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) studies on lead zirconate titanate (PZT) films an unexpected nanostructuring of ferroelectric-ferroelastic domains. These consist of c-nanodomains within a-nanodomains in proximity to a-nanodomains within c-domains. These structures are created and annihilated as pairs, controllably. We treat these as a new kind of vertex?antivertex pair and consider them in terms of the Srolovitz-Scott 4-state Potts model, which results in pairwise domain vertex instabilities that resemble the vortex?antivortex mechanism in ferromagnetism, as well as dislocation pairs (or disclination pairs) that are well-known in nematic liquid crystals. Finally, we show that these nanopairs can be scaled up to form arrays that are engineered at will, paving the way toward facilitating them to real technologies.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	2011AREP; IA63;
Subjects:	03 - Mineral Sciences
Divisions:	03 - Mineral Sciences
Journal or Publication Title:	Nano Letters
Volume:	11
Page Range:	pp. 4619-4625
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1021/nl202097y
Depositing User:	Sarah Humbert
Date Deposited:	23 Dec 2011 12:17
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2013 10:03
URI:	http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/id/eprint/2324

Actions (login required)

View Item