Probing Ferroic States in Oxide Thin Films Using Optical Second Harmonic Generation
Forthcoming low-energy consumption oxide electronics rely on the deterministic control of ferroelectric and multiferroic domain states at the nanoscale. In this review, we address the recent progress in the field of investigation of ferroic order in thin films and heterostructures, with a focus on n...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2018-04-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/8/4/570 |
| _version_ | 1831790913064534016 |
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| author | Johanna Nordlander Gabriele De Luca Nives Strkalj Manfred Fiebig Morgan Trassin |
| author_facet | Johanna Nordlander Gabriele De Luca Nives Strkalj Manfred Fiebig Morgan Trassin |
| author_sort | Johanna Nordlander |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Forthcoming low-energy consumption oxide electronics rely on the deterministic control of ferroelectric and multiferroic domain states at the nanoscale. In this review, we address the recent progress in the field of investigation of ferroic order in thin films and heterostructures, with a focus on non-invasive optical second harmonic generation (SHG). For more than 50 years, SHG has served as an established technique for probing ferroic order in bulk materials. Here, we will survey the specific new aspects introduced to SHG investigation of ferroelectrics and multiferroics by working with thin film structures. We show how SHG can probe complex ferroic domain patterns non-invasively and even if the lateral domain size is below the optical resolution limit or buried beneath an otherwise impenetrable cap layer. We emphasize the potential of SHG to distinguish contributions from individual (multi-) ferroic films or interfaces buried in a device or multilayer architecture. Special attention is given to monitoring switching events in buried ferroic domain- and domain-wall distributions by SHG, thus opening new avenues towards the determination of the domain dynamics. Another aspect studied by SHG is the role of strain. We will finally show that by integrating SHG into the ongoing thin film deposition process, we can monitor the emergence of ferroic order and properties in situ, while they emerge during growth. Our review closes with an outlook, emphasizing the present underrepresentation of ferroic switching dynamics in the study of ferroic oxide heterostructures. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T14:43:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d19faa381edf422098a2b16dafb33c4a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T14:43:07Z |
| publishDate | 2018-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-d19faa381edf422098a2b16dafb33c4a2022-12-21T18:22:31ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172018-04-018457010.3390/app8040570app8040570Probing Ferroic States in Oxide Thin Films Using Optical Second Harmonic GenerationJohanna Nordlander0Gabriele De Luca1Nives Strkalj2Manfred Fiebig3Morgan Trassin4Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093 Zurich, SwitzerlandDepartment of Materials, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093 Zurich, SwitzerlandDepartment of Materials, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093 Zurich, SwitzerlandDepartment of Materials, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093 Zurich, SwitzerlandDepartment of Materials, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093 Zurich, SwitzerlandForthcoming low-energy consumption oxide electronics rely on the deterministic control of ferroelectric and multiferroic domain states at the nanoscale. In this review, we address the recent progress in the field of investigation of ferroic order in thin films and heterostructures, with a focus on non-invasive optical second harmonic generation (SHG). For more than 50 years, SHG has served as an established technique for probing ferroic order in bulk materials. Here, we will survey the specific new aspects introduced to SHG investigation of ferroelectrics and multiferroics by working with thin film structures. We show how SHG can probe complex ferroic domain patterns non-invasively and even if the lateral domain size is below the optical resolution limit or buried beneath an otherwise impenetrable cap layer. We emphasize the potential of SHG to distinguish contributions from individual (multi-) ferroic films or interfaces buried in a device or multilayer architecture. Special attention is given to monitoring switching events in buried ferroic domain- and domain-wall distributions by SHG, thus opening new avenues towards the determination of the domain dynamics. Another aspect studied by SHG is the role of strain. We will finally show that by integrating SHG into the ongoing thin film deposition process, we can monitor the emergence of ferroic order and properties in situ, while they emerge during growth. Our review closes with an outlook, emphasizing the present underrepresentation of ferroic switching dynamics in the study of ferroic oxide heterostructures.http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/8/4/570multiferroicferroelectricSHGdomain engineeringthin filmsBiFeO3PZTdomain walls |
| spellingShingle | Johanna Nordlander Gabriele De Luca Nives Strkalj Manfred Fiebig Morgan Trassin Probing Ferroic States in Oxide Thin Films Using Optical Second Harmonic Generation Applied Sciences multiferroic ferroelectric SHG domain engineering thin films BiFeO3 PZT domain walls |
| title | Probing Ferroic States in Oxide Thin Films Using Optical Second Harmonic Generation |
| title_full | Probing Ferroic States in Oxide Thin Films Using Optical Second Harmonic Generation |
| title_fullStr | Probing Ferroic States in Oxide Thin Films Using Optical Second Harmonic Generation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Probing Ferroic States in Oxide Thin Films Using Optical Second Harmonic Generation |
| title_short | Probing Ferroic States in Oxide Thin Films Using Optical Second Harmonic Generation |
| title_sort | probing ferroic states in oxide thin films using optical second harmonic generation |
| topic | multiferroic ferroelectric SHG domain engineering thin films BiFeO3 PZT domain walls |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/8/4/570 |
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