Stability of 71{\deg} stripe domains in epitaxial BiFeO3 films upon repeated electrical switching

TL;DR

This study investigates the stability of 71° stripe domains in epitaxial BiFeO3 thin films under repeated electrical switching, revealing distinct behaviors in in-plane versus out-of-plane configurations and their dependence on switching conditions.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the stability and behavior of stripe domains in BiFeO3 films during electrical switching, highlighting differences based on switching orientation and voltage frequency.

Findings

In-plane domains are highly stable under switching.

Out-of-plane domains change size and pattern with voltage frequency.

Domain behavior depends on switching configuration and conditions.

Abstract

The 71{\deg} stripe domain patterns of epitaxial BiFeO3 thin films are frequently being explored to achieve new functional properties, dissimilar from the BiFeO3 bulk properties. We show that in-plane switching and out-of-plane switching of these domains behave very differently. In the in-plane configuration the domains are very stable, whereas in the out-of-plane configuration the domains change their size and patterns, depending on the applied switching voltage frequency. This paper has been published in Phys. Status Solidi B (http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pssb.201248329)