Probing the role of single defects on the thermodynamics of electric-field induced phase transitions.
Phys Rev Lett
; 100(15): 155703, 2008 Apr 18.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18518126
ABSTRACT
The kinetics and thermodynamics of first order transitions are universally controlled by defects that act as nucleation sites and pinning centers. Here we demonstrate that defect-domain interactions during polarization reversal processes in ferroelectric materials result in a pronounced fine structure in electromechanical hysteresis loops. Spatially resolved imaging of a single defect center in multiferroic BiFeO3 thin film is achieved, and the defect size and built-in field are determined self-consistently from the single-point spectroscopic measurements and spatially resolved images. This methodology is universal and can be applied to other reversible bias-induced transitions including electrochemical reactions.
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Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Phys Rev Lett
Año:
2008
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos