Phase transitions in ferroelectric domain walls

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates phase transitions in ferroelectric domain walls, focusing on their detection via scanning probe capacitance microwave microscopy, using finite element modeling based on Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire theory.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework for detecting phase transitions in ferroelectric domain walls through microwave microscopy and finite element modeling.

Findings

Identification of capacitance changes during domain wall motion

Potential detectability of phase transitions with microscopy techniques

Application to multiaxial ferroelectric BaTiO3

Abstract

Despite multiple efforts, there exist many unsolved fundamental problems related with detection and analysis of internal polarization structure and related phase transitions in ferroelectric domain walls. Their solution can be very important for the progress in domain wall nanoelectronics and related applications in advanced memories and other information technologies. Here, we theoretically study the features of phase transitions in the domain walls, which are potentially detectable by the scanning probe capacitance microwave microscopy. The finite element modelling based on the Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire theory is performed for the capacitance changes related with the domain wall motion in a multiaxial ferroelectric BaTiO$_3$.