Polarization rotation in a ferroelectric BaTiO3 film through low-energy He-implantation

Domain engineering in ferroelectric thin films is crucial for next-generation microelectronic and photonic technologies. Here, a method is demonstrated to precisely control domain configurations in BaTiO3 thin films through low-energy He ion implantation. The approach transforms a mixed ferroelectri...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Andreas Herklotz, Robert Roth, Zhi Xiang Chong, Liang Luo, Joong Mok Park, Matthew Brahlek, Jigang Wang, Kathrin Dörr, Thomas Zac Ward
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIP Publishing LLC 2025-03-01
Series:APL Materials
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0253298
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Domain engineering in ferroelectric thin films is crucial for next-generation microelectronic and photonic technologies. Here, a method is demonstrated to precisely control domain configurations in BaTiO3 thin films through low-energy He ion implantation. The approach transforms a mixed ferroelectric domain state with significant in-plane polarization into a uniform out-of-plane tetragonal phase by selectively modifying the strain state in the film’s top region. This structural transition significantly improves domain homogeneity and reduces polarization imprint, leading to symmetric ferroelectric switching characteristics. The demonstrated ability to manipulate ferroelectric domains post-growth enables tailored functional properties without compromising the coherently strained bottom interface. The method’s compatibility with semiconductor processing and ability to selectively modify specific regions make it particularly promising for practical implementation in integrated devices. This work establishes a versatile approach for strain-mediated domain engineering that could be extended to a wide range of ferroelectric systems, providing new opportunities for memory, sensing, and photonic applications where precise control of polarization states is essential.
ISSN:2166-532X