Displacive and Conductive Phenomenas in Ferroelectric Thin Films - Scaling effects and switching properties

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Rainer Waser
• Subject Area: Metallurgical, Thermal and Thermomechanical Treatment of Materials
• Term: from 2003 to 2006
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5411221

Polarisation switching of ferroelectric thin films can be influenced by electronic conduction. This joint NSF-DFG proposal will investigate the interactin between switching and conduction, emphasizing the scaling behavior of this interaction. The vertical scaling will be accomplished by ultrathin epitaxial films, which include thicknesses within the tunneling regime. The lateral scaling will be performed by state-of-the-art nanolithography (such as focused ion beam milling and e-beam lithography). The investigation will include correlated conductivity and domain mapping using Scanning Probe Microscopy, dynamic switching studies, piezoelectric characterization, as well as noise measurements and tunneling current studies. The results of this study will contribute to answering the question of the scaling behavior of the coercive voltage, which is crucial for future generations of ferroeletric random access memories.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: USA
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Hermann Kohlstedt; Professor Dr. Ramesh