Size and Time Rescaling at the Paraelectric to Ferroelectric Phase Transition in BaTiO$_3$

TL;DR

This paper investigates the size and time rescaling phenomena during the paraelectric to ferroelectric phase transition in BaTiO$_3$, highlighting the dynamics of domain growth and defect formation.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of length and time rescaling mechanisms critical for ferroelectricity emergence in BaTiO$_3$ during the phase transition.

Findings

Small ferroelectric clusters are short-lived in the paraelectric phase.

Rescaling of size and time is essential for ferroelectric domain formation.

Ferroelectric nanodomains can contain antiferroelectric defects.

Abstract

We describe length and time rescaling across the paraelectric to ferroelectric phase transition in BaTiO$_3$. Small ferroelectric clusters are unable to grow in the paraelectric phase and exist for a short period of time only. The onset of the phase transition invokes a rescaling of both size and time lenghts as necessary ingredients for ferroelectricity to come into existence. The growing of ferroelectric domains involves correlated chains of Ti-O dipoles, which causes domain wall rigidity and domain shape stability. Ferroelectric nanodomains may host islands of opposite polarization (antiferroelectric defects), which appear as an intrinsic feature of the growing BaTiO$_3$ ferroelectric material