Polarization reversal dynamics of ferroelastic nanodomains in Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 thin film

Applying an electric field along the [001] direction can drive the coupled polarization reversal in [100] oriented ferroelastic nano -sized a -domains in Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 thin film. In this study, experimental probing of nanodomain evolution in ferroelastic Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 thin films using in -situ synchrotron X-ray scattering reveals mechanisms of polarization reversal of both nanosized a -domains as well as that of matrix c -domains. Polarization reversal of aand matrix c -domains under an electric field along the [001] direction generates the scattering intensity-electric field hysteresis loops. Both time -dependent scattering intensity and phase -field simulation reveal that the polarization reversal of nanodomains can be completed ten times faster than that of matrix c -domain owing to the ferroelastic switching mediated reversal mechanism.