Polarization switching of ferroelectric polycrystals: finite element modeling and simulations

Abstract

A 3D constitutive model for polarization switching in ferroelectric ceramics is presented and implemented into a finite element code. The developed code is used to investigate the nucleation and growth of new domains in a ferroelectric thin film, which is pulsed upward initially and whose bottom electrode is grounded. Then a point on the top surface of the film is subjected to a constant positive electric potential for a certain period of time, leading to a polarization switching downward. The distribution of electric field and polarization are not homogeneous within the film. The evolution of switched zone is calculated and qualitatively compared with experimental observations.