Inorganic ferroelectric films

In the EFM, an electric field is created at the surface of the sample by applying a voltage to a conductive AFM tip, that is in close proximity to the surface. In the case of thin ferroelectric samples, it is possible to induce extremely strong and localized electric fields and hence to produce domains of electric polarization on a (sub)micrometer scale inside the film. By means of the EFM, the evolution of such domains can be studied both in organic and inorganic ferroelectric films. The interaction between the tip and the sample as a function of the material properties and system geometry can be described within a phenomenological model, described at the end of this contribution. 

In view of the fact that films of PVDF arc diable. lough, aod strong and. at the same time, these films exhibit ferroelectric properties comparable to those of hard and brittle inorganic ferroelectrks, there is a bright future for PVDF in many applications. 

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