Electric scanning probe imaging and modification of ferroelectric surfaces

TL;DR

This paper explores how electric scanning probe microscopy techniques can characterize and modify ferroelectric surfaces, analyzing contrast mechanisms, surface interactions, and the effects of experimental conditions.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the contrast formation mechanisms and develops quantitative criteria for non-local interactions in PFM of ferroelectric surfaces.

Findings

Contrast formation mechanisms of PFM are detailed.

Electroelastic constants influence PFM response amplitude.

A quantitative criterion for non-local cantilever-surface interactions is proposed.

Abstract

Electric Scanning Probe Microscopies are used to characterize the surface behavior of ferroelectric materials. The effects of local charge density on the chemistry and physics of ferroelectric surfaces are investigated. The kinetics and thermodynamics parameters of adsorption are assessed by variable temperature Scanning Surface Potential Microscopy. Contrast formation mechanism of Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PFM) is analyzed in detail, and the contributions of electroelastic constants of the material to response amplitude are determined. The effect of experimental conditions including indentation force and tip radius of curvature is elucidated using PFM Contrast Mechanism Maps. Simple quantitative criterion for non-local cantilever-surface interactions in PFM is developed.