Modeling of ultrafast polarization switching in PbTiO3

• Published in: Materialia Vol. 27
• Main Authors: Zhilyaev, Petr, Starykh, Elizaveta, Brekhov, Kirill, Mishina, Elena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-03-2023
• Subjects: Density functional theory; Ferroelectric materials; Polarization switching; Terahertz pulse; Density functional theory; Polarization switching; Ferroelectric materials; Terahertz pulse
• ISSN: 2589-1529; 2589-1529
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtla.2023.101681

Ultrafast switching of electric polarization in ferroelectric materials is an open scientific problem. Switching has not been achieved experimentally. In this paper, using an improved model describing switching in a two-dimensional space of generalized coordinates, we show that for PTO, one pulse with linear polarization cannot lead to stable switching. Only depolarization of the sample can be observed if the threshold pulse intensity is reached. It is also shown that friction plays an insignificant role in dynamics of switching, and the optimal frequency of the perturbing pulse is calculated at which the intensity is the lowest.
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•New Model for Ultrafast Polarization Switching in Ferroelectrics.•Single pulse polarization switching is reversible.•THz pulse action on ferroelectrics.