Self-assembled polydomain structures and domain engineering

Abstract

Abstract The elastically driven, self-assembled polydomain nanostructures (elastic domains) in ferroelectric films are both scientifically intriguing and practically important, since the interfaces and long-range elastic and electric fields associated with the periodic nanoscale modulation in structure can endow unique and desirable physical properties to the ferroelectric films, including large piezoelectric and dielectric responses, enhanced pyroelectric, and electrocaloric performances, as well as electro-optical effects (anomalous photovoltaic effect, for example). In this chapter, thermodynamics of the formation of elastic domains in epitaxial ferroelectric films is presented, together with a focused review on the theoretical and experimental studies. In addition, methods of domain engineering aimed at achieving an optimal polydomain structure for certain energy applications are discussed.