Browsing by Author "Cordero-Edwards, Kumara"

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    Interplay between Point and Extended Defects and Their Effects on Jerky Domain-Wall Motion in Ferroelectric Thin Films
    (American Physical Society, 2024) Bulanadi, Ralph; Cordero-Edwards, Kumara; Tückmantel, Philippe; Saremi, Sahar; Morpurgo, Giacomo; Zhang, Qi; Martin, Lane W.; Nagarajan, Valanoor; Paruch, Patrycja; Rice Advanced Materials Institute
    Defects have a significant influence on the polarization and electromechanical properties of ferroelectric materials. Statistically, they can be seen as random pinning centers acting on an elastic manifold, slowing domain-wall propagation and raising the energy required to switch polarization. Here we show that the “dressing” of defects can lead to unprecedented control of domain-wall dynamics. We engineer defects of two different dimensionalities in ferroelectric oxide thin films—point defects externally induced via He2+ bombardment, and extended quasi-one-dimensional 𝑎 domains formed in response to internal strains. The 𝑎 domains act as extended strong pinning sites (as expected) imposing highly localized directional constraints. Surprisingly, the induced point defects in the He2+ bombarded samples orient and align to impose further directional pinning, screening the effect of 𝑎 domains. This defect interplay produces more uniform and predictable domain-wall dynamics. Such engineered interactions between defects are crucial for advancements in ferroelectric devices.