Size-induced appearance of ferroelectricity in thin antiferroelectric films

Abstract In the paper we consider size effects on phase transitions and polar properties of thin antiferroelectric films. We extend the phenomenological approach proposed by Kittel for thin films allowing for gradient (correlation) energy and depolarization field energy. Surface piezoelectric effect as well as misfit strain appear due to lattice constants mismatch between the film and its substrate. Direct variational method is used to derive the free energy with renormalized coefficients depending on the film thickness. Obtained free energy expression allows the calculation of phase diagrams and all electro-physical properties by a conventional minimization procedure. Approximate analytical expressions for the paraelectric–antiferroelectric–ferroelectric transition temperature dependences on film thickness, polarization gradient coefficient, and extrapolation lengths were obtained. The thickness dependence of the electric field critical value that causes antiferroelectric–ferroelectric phase transition was calculated. Under favorable conditions the antiferroelectric phase at first transforms into ferroelectric one and then into paraelectric phase with the decrease of the film thickness. Proposed theoretical consideration explains the experimental results obtained in antiferroelectric PbZrO 3 thin films.