On the persistence of polar domains in ultrathin ferroelectric capacitors. (9th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zubko, Pavlo; Lu, Haidong; Bark, Chung-Wung; Martí, Xavi; Santiso, José; Eom, Chang-Beom; Catalan, Gustau; Gruverman, Alexei
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 29:Number 28(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-06-09
• Subjects: ultrathin barium titanate -- tunnel junctions -- ferroelectric domains -- polarization screening -- retention -- negative capacitance; Condensed matter -- Periodicals; Matière condensée -- Périodiques; Vaste stoffen; Vloeistoffen; Natuurkunde; Electronic journals; Computer network resources; 530.4105
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-648X/aa73c3
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-8984

Abstract

Abstract: The instability of ferroelectric ordering in ultra-thin films is one of the most important fundamental issues pertaining realization of a number of electronic devices with enhanced functionality, such as ferroelectric and multiferroic tunnel junctions or ferroelectric field effect transistors. In this paper, we investigate the polarization state of archetypal ultrathin (several nanometres) ferroelectric heterostructures: epitaxial single-crystalline BaTiO3 films sandwiched between the most habitual perovskite electrodes, SrRuO3, on top of the most used perovskite substrate, SrTiO3 . We use a combination of piezoresponse force microscopy, dielectric measurements and structural characterization to provide conclusive evidence for the ferroelectric nature of the relaxed polarization state in ultrathin BaTiO3 capacitors. We show that even the high screening efficiency of SrRuO3 electrodes is still insufficient to stabilize polarization in SrRuO3 /BaTiO3 /SrRuO3 heterostructures at room temperature. We identify the key role of domain wall motion in determining the macroscopic electrical properties of ultrathin capacitors and discuss their dielectric response in the light of the recent interest in negative capacitance behaviour.