DOMAIN BOUNDARIES IN FERROELECTRICS

Abstract

Present paper is a brief review of the information and existing approaches in the study of domain walls in ferroelectric materials. In the framework of the continuum approach the structure of 180° and 90° domain walls was considered. The results of calculation of width and energy of domain walls were compared with those obtained from ab initio calculations and experimental data. Factors conducive to the broadening of domain boundaries are discussed such as profile temperature fluctuation, capture to nearby defects and surface impact. The structure of charged domain walls was considered under the conditions of screening by free carriers. The structure and characteristics of the moving domain wall are discussed: the local effective mass, the top speed and the mobility. The lateral motion of domain walls in the lattice potential relief in the general case creeping mode is investigated. The factors that control the macroscopic movement of domain walls are studied: an effective quasi-elasticity coefficient and nonlocal effective mass associated with involvement in the movement of the elastic medium surrounding wall. Natural frequency of translational oscillations of domain boundaries and the influence of the size effect were estimated. The interaction of domain walls with different types of defects and their effect on the deformation profile and features of the motion of domain walls are considered.