Ferroelectric domains in epitaxial PbZr0.65Ti0.35O3/La0.5Sr0.5CoO3 heterostructures

Abstract

In epitaxial heterostructures of ${\text{PbZr}}_{0.65}{\text{Ti}}_{0.35}{\text{O}}_3/{\text{La}}_{0.5}{\text{Sr}}_{0.5}{\text{CoO}}_3/\text{MgO}\left(001\right)$ with large lattice mismatch, ferroelectric domains were studied using piezoresponse force microscopy and microstructure analysis. In the $c$ -oriented tetragonal ${\text{PbZr}}_{0.65}{\text{Ti}}_{0.35}{\text{O}}_3$ films, random arrays of $0.1–1\mu \text{m}$ sized ferroelectric domains with facet-type 180° boundaries were found. The lateral inhomogeneity of the switching fields and of the field-induced strains was detected. The results are discussed in terms of island growth and dislocation generation in epitaxial heterostructures having large lattice mismatch.