Fig. 6: Poling dynamics and electrostatics of domain boundaries.
From: Giant switchable non thermally-activated conduction in 180° domain walls in tetragonal Pb(Zr,Ti)O3
a Distribution of polarization and domains in pristine PZT prior to poling. b The initial poling stage: after the tip contacts the uniformly poled PZT, a new c-domain forms in a near-surface region producing additional a-domain stripes propagating towards the bottom interface. c The inversely-polarized c-domain penetrates in depth of the film, reaching the bottom interface. d Further evolution of the system leads to an alignment of the 180°-DW with the crystal axis. e Relaxed state of the system after tip removal. f, g Bound charges concentrated near the bent 90°-DWs for the poling stages b and e, respectively. The white lines show the charge-neutral direction of the domain walls. h, i Electrostatic potential distribution for the same stages of poling. j, k Free conductive charges distribution that screens the bound charges for the same stages of poling.
