Modeling of Stable and Unstable Polarization Switching

Published

June 1, 2000

Author(s)

H Kessler, Lin-Sien H. Lum, H Balke

Abstract

We examine the stability of polarization switching in polyscrystalline ferroelectric/ferroelastic materials subject to continuous electromechanical loading. In case of unstable switching, a finite change of remanent polarization or strain results from an infinitesimally small increment of the applied load. Micromechanical switching models are studied as well as a simple macrosocpic boundary value problem in combination with a phenomenological switching law. The micromechanical models include ferroelastic multilayers and stochastic microstructures, and are based on an energy switching criterion. Solutions are obtained analytically or by microstructural finite element analysis. Stable response is promoted by (i) homogeneity of mechanical stress, (ii) proximity of local load conditions to mechanical strain control. For the macrosocpic boundary value problem of a ferroelectric ring, switching stability depends on the applied load conditions as follows: Charge control results in stable response; voltage control my initiate unstable switching. For voltage control, the mathematical instability disappears if a small amount of ferroelectric hardening is postulated (coercive field increasing with degree of polarization). Nevertheless, an enhanced switching activity is predicted near the former instability.

Proceedings Title

Active Materials: Behavior and Mechanics, Conference | | Smart Structures and Materials 2000: Active Materials: Behavior and Mechanics | SPIE

Conference Dates

March 1, 2000

Conference Title

Proceedings of SPIE--the International Society for Optical Engineering

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

constitutive modeling, ferroelasticity, ferroelectricity, polarization switching

Citation

Kessler, H. , Lum, L. and Balke, H. (2000), Modeling of Stable and Unstable Polarization Switching, Active Materials: Behavior and Mechanics, Conference | | Smart Structures and Materials 2000: Active Materials: Behavior and Mechanics | SPIE (Accessed April 23, 2024)