Piezoelectric response hysteresis in the presence of ferroelastic 90° domain walls Available to Purchase

Piezoelectric response hysteresis curves of $Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3$-based capacitors have been measured by piezoresponse force microscopy. The piezoelectric coefficient $d33$ was found to vary considerably depending on the position of the probing tip on the top electrode for films possessing a $c∕a∕c$ domain structure. $d33$ values up to $125pm∕V$⁠, which is twice the theoretical value for a clamped film, have been measured. The spatial variations of the piezoelectric response amplitude is explained by a local movement of ferroelastic 90° $a$ domains. This work experimentally proves the local enhancement of the polarization near the 90° wall boundaries, as predicted by Ishibashi et al. [Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 44, 7512 (2005)].