Physical properties of ferroelectric film with continuous space charge distribution

Abstract

We present a theory of ferroelectric phase transitions in a film with a homogeneously distributed space charge leading to the so-called built-in polarization. On the base of our complete solution of the problem of continuous space charge distribution in a ferroelectric film, we calculate the ferroelectric phase transition temperature , spatial polarization distribution in paraelectric and ferroelectric phases as well as hysteresis loop in the ferroelectric phase. We have shown that the presence of continuous space charge in a film inhibits the ferroelectricity in it: it lowers the ferroelectric phase transition temperature and coercive field. Our estimates of these differences show that they can be substantial and should be taken into account for ferroelectric thin films with built-in polarization.