Scanning force microscopy for the study of domain structure in ferroelectric thin films

Abstract

A piezoresponse technique based on scanning force microscopy (SFM) has been used for studying domain structure in ferroelectric thin films. Studies were performed on Pb(Zr_x,Ti_1−x)O₃(PZT) thin films produced by a sol–gel method. The piezoresponse images of the PZT films were taken before and after inducing polarization in the films by applying a direct current voltage between the bottom electrode and the SFM tip. Polarization induced patterns were written with 20 V pulses and subsequently imaged by the SFM piezoresponse technique. The effect of the film structure on the imaging resolution of domains is discussed.