Electroluminescence and internal screening of domains upon polarization switching of ferroelectric ceramics in a pulsed self-consistent field

This paper reports on the results of investigations into the electroluminescence induced by polarization switching of a ferroelectric ceramic material in an electric field with a rapidly increasing strength. A correlation between the polarization switching and luminescence kinetics is revealed. It is demonstrated that tunneling of electrons to the conduction band and impact ionization in field concentrators are the main mechanisms of generation of free charge carriers responsible for the electroluminescence and internal screening of switching domains.