Direct observation of two-step polarization reversal by an opposite field in a substrate-free piezoelectric thin sheet
Journal
Applied Physics Letters
Journal Volume
94
Journal Issue
13
Date Issued
2009
Author(s)
Abstract
The domain switching behavior of a substrate-free lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate thin sheet by an opposite electric field (E) was examined by piezoresponse force microscopy. It is shown that the polarization reversal process involved two steps. First, the polarization switched from the initial normal direction to an in-plane direction at -E<5 kV/cm. Second, at -E>5 kV/cm, the polarization was further switched from the in-plane direction to the opposite field direction. The preference of the in-plane polarization at -5 kV/cm was attributed to the thin-sheet geometry, which also manifested itself as a maximum in dielectric constant at the same field. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.
Type
journal article