Browsing by Author "Seidel, J."

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Above-bandgap voltages from ferroelectric photovoltaic devices
(2010-02-01)
Yang, S. Y.
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Seidel, J.
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Byrnes, S. J.
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Shafer, P.
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Yang, C. -H.
In conventional solid-state photovoltaics, electron-hole pairs are created by light absorption in a semiconductor and separated by the electric field spaning a micrometre-thick depletion region. The maximum voltage these devices can produce is equal to the semiconductor electronic bandgap. Here, we report the discovery of a fundamentally different mechanism for photovoltaic charge separation, which operates over a distance of 1-2 nm and produces voltages that are significantly higher than the bandgap. The separation happens at previously unobserved nanoscale steps of the electrostatic potential that naturally occur at ferroelectric domain walls in the complex oxide BiFeO(3). Electric-field control over domain structure allows the photovoltaic effect to be reversed in polarity or turned off. This new degree of control, and the high voltages produced, may find application in optoelectronic devices.
Conduction at domain walls in oxide multiferroics
(2009-03-01)
Seidel, J.
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Martin, L. W.
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He, Q.
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Zhan, Q.
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Chu, Y. -H.
Domain walls may play an important role in future electronic devices, given their small size as well as the fact that their location can be controlled. Here, we report the observation of room-temperature electronic conductivity at ferroelectric domain walls in the insulating multiferroic BiFeO(3). The origin and nature of the observed conductivity are probed using a combination of conductive atomic force microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and first-principles density functional computations. Our analyses indicate that the conductivity correlates with structurally driven changes in both the electrostatic potential and the local electronic structure, which shows a decrease in the bandgap at the domain wall. Additionally, we demonstrate the potential for device applications of such conducting nanoscale features.
Domain Wall Conductivity in La-Doped BiFeO(3)
(2010-11-05)
Seidel, J.
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Maksymovych, P.
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Batra, Y.
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Katan, A.
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Yang, S. -Y.
The transport physics of domain wall conductivity in La-doped bismuth ferrite (BiFeO(3)) has been probed using variable temperature conducting atomic force microscopy and piezoresponse force microscopy in samples with arrays of domain walls in the as-grown state. Nanoscale current measurements are investigated as a function of bias and temperature and are shown to be consistent with distinct electronic properties at the domain walls leading to changes in the observed local conductivity. Our observation is well described within a band picture of the observed electronic conduction. Finally, we demonstrate an additional degree of control of the wall conductivity through chemical doping with oxygen vacancies, thus influencing the local conductive state.
Domain Wall Conductivity in La-Doped BiFeO3
(2010-11-05)
Seidel, J.
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Maksymovych, P.
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Batra, Y.
;
Katan, A.
;
Yang, S. -Y.
The transport physics of domain wall conductivity in La-doped bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) has been probed using variable temperature conducting atomic force microscopy and piezoresponse force microscopy in samples with arrays of domain walls in the as-grown state. Nanoscale current measurements are investigated as a function of bias and temperature and are shown to be consistent with distinct electronic properties at the domain walls leading to changes in the observed local conductivity. Our observation is well described within a band picture of the observed electronic conduction. Finally, we demonstrate an additional degree of control of the wall conductivity through chemical doping with oxygen vacancies, thus influencing the local conductive state.
Electric modulation of conduction in multiferroic Ca-doped BiFeO(3) films
(2009-06-01)
Yang, C. -H.
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Seidel, J.
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Kim, S. Y.
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Rossen, P. B.
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Yu, P.
Many interesting materials phenomena such as the emergence of high-T(c) superconductivity in the cuprates and colossal magnetoresistance in the manganites arise out of a doping-driven competition between energetically similar ground states. Doped multiferroics present a tantalizing evolution of this generic concept of phase competition. Here, we present the observation of an electronic conductor-insulator transition by control of band-filling in the model antiferromagnetic ferroelectric BiFeO(3) through Ca doping. Application of electric field enables us to control and manipulate this electronic transition to the extent that a p-n junction can be created, erased and inverted in this material. A 'dome-like' feature in the doping dependence of the ferroelectric transition is observed around a Ca concentration of similar to 1/8, where a new pseudo-tetragonal phase appears and the electric modulation of conduction is optimized. Possible mechanisms for the observed effects are discussed on the basis of the interplay of ionic and electronic conduction. This observation opens the door to merging magnetoelectrics and magnetoelectronics at room temperature by combining electronic conduction with electric and magnetic degrees of freedom already present in the multiferroic BiFeO(3).
Electric modulation of conduction in multiferroic Ca-doped BiFeO3 films
(2009-06-01)
Yang, C. -H.
;
Seidel, J.
;
Kim, S. Y.
;
Rossen, P. B.
;
Yu, P.
Many interesting materials phenomena such as the emergence of high-T-c superconductivity in the cuprates and colossal magnetoresistance in the manganites arise out of a doping-driven competition between energetically similar ground states. Doped multiferroics present a tantalizing evolution of this generic concept of phase competition. Here, we present the observation of an electronic conductor-insulator transition by control of band-filling in the model antiferromagnetic ferroelectric BiFeO3 through Ca doping. Application of electric field enables us to control and manipulate this electronic transition to the extent that a p-n junction can be created, erased and inverted in this material. A 'dome-like' feature in the doping dependence of the ferroelectric transition is observed around a Ca concentration of similar to 1/8, where a new pseudo-tetragonal phase appears and the electric modulation of conduction is optimized. Possible mechanisms for the observed effects are discussed on the basis of the interplay of ionic and electronic conduction. This observation opens the door to merging magnetoelectrics and magnetoelectronics at room temperature by combining electronic conduction with electric and magnetic degrees of freedom already present in the multiferroic BiFeO3.
Electromechanical Coupling among Edge Dislocations, Domain Walls, and Nanodomains in BiFeO3 Revealed by Unit-Cell-Wise Strain and Polarization Maps
(2013-04-01)
Lubk, A.
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Rossell, M. D.
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Seidel, J.
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Chu, Y. H.
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Ramesh, R.
The performance of ferroelectric devices, for example, the ferroelectric field effect transistor, is reduced by the presence of crystal defects such as edge dislocations. For example, it is well-known that edge dislocations play a crucial role in the formation of ferroelectric dead-layers at interfaces and hence finite size effects in ferroelectric thin films. The detailed lattice structure including the relevant electromechanical coupling mechanisms in close vicinity of the edge dislocations is, however, not well-understood, which hampers device optimization. Here, we investigate edge dislocations in ferroelectric BiFeO3 by means of spherical aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, a dedicated model-based structure analysis, and phase field simulations. Unit-cell-wise resolved strain and polarization profiles around edge dislocation reveal a wealth of material states including polymorph nanodomains and multiple domain walls characteristically pinned to the dislocation. We locally determine the piezoelectric tensor and identify piezoelectric coupling as the driving force for the observed phenomena, explaining, for example, the orientation of the domain wall with respect to the edge dislocation. Furthermore, an atomic model for the dislocation core is derived.
Evidence of Sharp and Diffuse Domain Walls in BiFeO3 by Means of Unit-Cell-Wise Strain and Polarization Maps Obtained with High Resolution Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy
(2012-07-25)
Lubk, A.
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Rossell, M. D.
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Seidel, J.
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He, Q.
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Yang, S. Y.
Domain walls (DWs) substantially influence a large number of applications involving ferroelectric materials due to their limited mobility when shifted during polarization switching. The discovery of greatly enhanced conduction at BiFeO3 DWs has highlighted yet another role of DWs as a local material state with unique properties. However, the lack of precise information on the local atomic structure is still hampering microscopical understanding of DW properties. Here, we examine the atomic structure of BiFeO3 109 degrees DWs with pm precision by a combination of high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy and a dedicated structural analysis. By measuring simultaneously local polarization and strain, we provide direct experimental proof for the straight DW structure predicted by ab initio calculations as well as the recently proposed theory of diffuse DWs, thus resolving a long-standing discrepancy between experimentally measured and theoretically predicted DW mobilities.
Large field-induced strains in a lead-free piezoelectric material
(2011-02-01)
Zhang, J. X.
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Xiang, B.
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He, Q.
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Seidel, J.
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Zeches, R. J.
Piezoelectric materials exhibit a mechanical response to electrical inputs, as well as an electrical response to mechanical inputs, which makes them useful in sensors and actuators(1). Lead-based piezoelectrics demonstrate a large mechanical response, but they also pose a health risk(2). The ferroelectric BiFeO(3) is an attractive alternative because it is lead-free, and because strain can stabilize BiFeO(3) phases with a structure that resembles a morphotropic phase boundary(3). Here we report a reversible electric-field-induced strain of over 5% in BiFeO(3) films, together with a characterization of the origins of this effect. In situ transmission electron microscopy coupled with nanoscale electrical and mechanical probing shows that large strains result from moving the boundaries between tetragonal- and rhombohedral-like phases, which changes the phase stability of the mixture. These results demonstrate the potential of BiFeO(3) as a substitute for lead-based materials in future piezoelectric applications.
Structural, magnetic, and ferroelectric properties of T-like cobalt-doped BiFeO3 thin films
(2018-02-01)
Young, T.
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Sharma, P.
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Kim, D. H.
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Ha, Thai Duy
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Juang, Jenh-Yih
We present a comprehensive study of the physical properties of epitaxial cobalt-doped BiFeO3 films similar to 50 nm thick grown on (001) LaAlO3 substrates. X-ray diffraction and magnetic characterization demonstrate high quality purely tetragonal-like (T') phase films with no parasitic impurities. Remarkably, the step-and-terrace film surface morphology can be fully recovered following a local electric-field-induced rhombohedrallike to T' phase transformation. Local switching spectroscopy experiments confirm the ferroelectric switching to follow previously reported transition pathways. Critically, we show unequivocal evidence for conduction at domain walls between polarization variants in T'-like BFO, making this material system an attractive candidate for domain wall-based nanoelectronics. (c) 2018 Author(s). All article content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.