In-plane quasi-single-domain BaTiO3 via interfacial symmetry engineering

Abstract

The control of the in-plane domain evolution in ferroelectric thin films is not only critical to understanding ferroelectric phenomena but also to enabling functional device fabrication. However, in-plane polarized ferroelectric thin films typically exhibit complicated multi-domain states, not desirable for optoelectronic device performance. Here we report a strategy combining interfacial symmetry engineering and anisotropic strain to design single-domain, in-plane polarized ferroelectric BaTiO3 thin films. Theoretical calculations predict the key role of the BaTiO3/PrScO3$${({{{{{\boldsymbol{110}}}}}})}_{{{{{{\bf{O}}}}}}}$$ ( 110 ) O substrate interfacial environment, where anisotropic strain, monoclinic distortions, and interfacial electrostatic potential stabilize a single-variant spontaneous polarization. A combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy, piezoresponse force microscopy, ferroelectric hysteresis loop measurements, and second harmonic generation measurements directly reveals the stabilization of the in-plane quasi-single-domain polarization state. This work offers design principles for engineering in-plane domains of ferroelectric oxide thin films, which is a prerequisite for high performance optoelectronic devices.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Nov 22, 2021
Source ID
10.1038/s41467-021-26660-7

Entities

People

  • Alexei Gruverman
  • Bo Wang
  • Chang-Beom Eom
  • Evgeny Y Tsymbal
  • H. X. Huyan
  • Haidong Lu
  • Hanwool Lee
  • J. A. Zorn
  • J. W. Lee
  • Kitae Eom
  • Long-Qing Chen
  • S. Lei
  • S. Lindemann
  • Sangwoo Ryu
  • T. H. Kim
  • Thomas Tybell
  • Tula R Paudel
  • Venkatraman Gopalan
  • W. P. Gao
  • Xiaoqing Pan
  • Yakun Yuan

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • Army Research Office
  • Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
  • United States Department of Defense

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Thin Film Deposition Science.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Graphene