Aging-stabilization of ferroelectric domains and internal electric field due to short-range ordering of charged point defects: Phase field modeling

Computer modeling and simulation is performed to study the domain stabilization effect due to short-range ordering of charged point defects in aged ferroelectrics. Phase field model takes into account various energetic contributions involved in domain aging phenomenon, including chemical, domain wall, electrostatic and elastostatic energies, as well as domain-dependent internal electric field associated with the short-range ordering of charged point defects. The internal electric field strength is estimated by the computer simulation. Clausius–Clapeyron-type thermodynamic analysis of field-induced ferroelectric phase transition is used to evaluate aging-produced internal field strength from relevant experimental data, which is in agreement with the computer simulation.