Ferroelectricity in Ultrathin Halide Perovskites.

Kashikar, Ravi; Valdespino, Arlies; Ogg, Charlton; Uppgard, Edvin; Lisenkov, S; Ponomareva, I · Nano Lett · 2024

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Ferroelectricity has recently been demonstrated in germanium-based halide perovskites. We use first-principles-based simulations to study 4-18 nm CsGeBr<sub>3</sub> films and develop a theory for ferroelectric ultrathin films. The theory introduces (i) a local order parameter, which identifies phase transitions into both monodomain and polydomain phases, and (ii) a dipole pattern classifier, which allows efficient and reliable identification of dipole patterns. Application of the theory to both halides CsGeBr<sub>3</sub> and CsGeI<sub>3</sub> and oxide BiFeO<sub>3</sub> ultrathin ferroelectrics reveals two distinct scenarios. First, the films transition into a monodomain phase below the critical value of the residual depolarizing field. Above this critical value, the second scenario occurs, and the film undergoes a transition into a nanodomain phase. The two scenarios exhibit opposite responses of Curie temperature to thickness reduction. Application of a dipole pattern classifier reveals rich nanodomain phases in halide films: nanostripes, labyrinths, zig-zags, pillars, and lego domains.