Effect of t2g Orbitals on Domain Walls in Electron-Doped Perovskite Ferroelectrics

Abstract

In electron-doped ferroelectrics, the free electrons can become concentrated along the domain walls which act like a conducting surface. We consider the impact of free electrons occupying the t2g orbitals on the domain walls of an electron-doped perovskite ferroelectric. We build an analytical model based on Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire theory, and a trio of tight-binding Hamiltonians for free electrons. We self-consistently solve for the polarization, potential, and electron density using a finite-difference approximation. We find that the ferroelectric is effectively charge neutral. The free electrons are attracted to the positively-charged domain wall, leaving it with a small residual charge. As the electron density increases, the domain walls tilt to form zig-zag domain walls. Orbital selectivity of the t2g orbitals depends on the relative orientations of the orbital plane and the domain wall. This property influences the rate at which the domain wall tilts as a function of the electron density.

Author Keywords: Charged Domain Wall, Domain Wall, Ferroelectric, Landau-Ginzburg, Perovskite, Strontium Titanate

    Item Description
    Type
    Contributors
    Creator (cre): Cornell, Brennan
    Thesis advisor (ths): Atkinson, William
    Degree committee member (dgc): Bradac, Carlo
    Degree committee member (dgc): de Haan, Hendrick
    Degree committee member (dgc): Rubel, Oleg
    Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University
    Date Issued
    2023
    Date (Unspecified)
    2023
    Place Published
    Peterborough, ON
    Language
    Extent
    115 pages
    Rights
    Copyright is held by the author, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.
    Subject (Topical)
    Local Identifier
    TC-OPET-11104
    Publisher
    Trent University
    Degree
    Master of Science (M.Sc.): Materials Science