On the possible mechanism of increase in the phase transition temperature in a ferroelectric-insulator composite

The phase transition temperature of a small ferroelectric sample has been determined by solving the system of nonlinear equations of electrostatics and the equilibrium equation with a nonlinear boundary condition at the sample surface with the use of a method of finite elements. It has been shown that the phase transition temperature can be shifted to higher temperatures owing to the effect of the surface. The dependence of the phase transition temperature on the size and shape of the ferroelectric sample and on the properties of its surface has been found. The possibility of the experimental observation of this effect has been discussed.