Vortex polarization states in nanoferroelectrics

Abstract

Two-dimensional arrays of ferroelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanodots fabricated using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) through ultrathin anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane stencil masks have been investigated using piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). Core-polarization states, which may indicate the presence of quasi-toroidal polarization ordering, have been observed. Existing theoretical data have been used to determine the signature of a vortex polarization state in a PFM experiment and compared to the measured data.