Effects of biaxial stress on the ferroelectric characteristics of PZT thin films

Joseph F. Shepard, Susan E. Trolier-McKinstry, Mary Hendrickson, Robert Zeto

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

The design and implementation of microelectromechanical (MEMS) systems requires a sound understanding of the influence of film stress on both the ferroelectric and piezoelectric characteristics of thin films to be used for sensing and/or actuation. Experiments were conducted in which thin film samples of sol-gel derived PZT were subjected to applied biaxial stresses from -139 to 142 MPa. Films were characterized at known stress states (derived from known values of residual stress and large deflection plate theory) in terms of their ferroelectric polarization (saturated and remnant), dielectric constants, coercive field strengths, and tan δ. Results obtained indicate that domain wall motion in thin films contributes much less to the observed response than is typical for bulk PZT materials. Alternative mechanisms are proposed in an attempt to explain the discrepancies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)47-51
Number of pages5
JournalMaterials Research Society Symposium - Proceedings
Volume459
StatePublished - Jan 1 1997
EventProceedings of the 1996 MRS Fall Symposium - Boston, MA, USA
Duration: Dec 2 1996Dec 5 1996

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Materials Science(all)
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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