Stochastic theory of ferroelectric domain structure formation dominated by quenched disorder

Abstract

A self-consistent stochastic model of domain structure formation in a uniaxial ferroelectric, quenched from a high-temperature paraelectric phase to a low-temperature ferroelectric phase, is developed with an account of the applied electric field and the feedback effect via local depolarization fields. Both polarization and field components are considered as Gauss random variables. A system of integro-differential equations for correlation functions of all involved variables is derived and solved analytically and numerically. Phase diagram in terms of the average value and dispersion of polarization reveals different possible equilibrium states and available final single-domain and multi-domain states. The time-dependent evolution of the average polarization and dispersion discloses a bifurcation behavior and the temperature-dependent value of the electric field, deciding between the single-domain and multi-domain final states, which can be interpreted as the coercive field. Analytical and numerical results for the time-dependent correlation length and correlation functions exhibit plausible agreement with available experimental data.