Anomalous ferroelectric switching dynamics in single crystalline SrTiO3

TL;DR

This study uncovers intrinsic ferroelectric relaxation in single crystalline SrTiO3 near room temperature, driven by coherent surface nanopolar regions rather than domain nucleation, challenging traditional models.

Contribution

It reveals the intrinsic origin of ferroelectric switching in SrTiO3, emphasizing surface nanopolar regions over domain nucleation mechanisms.

Findings

Ferroelectric relaxation observed up to near room temperature.

Switching is due to coherent surface nanopolar regions.

Contradicts the Kolmogorov-Avrami-Ishibashi Model.

Abstract

Pure SrTiO3 in bulk form is known to be an incipient ferroelectric where the quantum fluctuations of lattice positions prevent long range ferroelectric ordering at a finite temperature. We show evidence and identify the origin of ferroelectric relaxation up to nearly room temperature in single crystalline SrTiO3. Strikingly, the origin of the observed ferroelectric switching is intrinsic which is the coherent switching of surface nanopolar regions and not due to the nucleation and growth of domains, as described by the Kolmogorov-Avrami-Ishibashi Model.