Formation of organic ferroelectric thin films by vacuum evaporation under electric field

Abstract

Crystal structures and molecular orientation in the ferroelectric polymer of polyvinylidene fluoride, PVDF, evaporated with and without an electric field were investigated. In order to evaluate the molecular structures in the thin films formed on a SiO/sub 2/ glass substrate, a newly developed energy dispersive total reflection X-ray diffractometer was successfully utilized. Anomalous lamellae structures in evaporated PVDF thin films and the changes induced by the heat treatment were observed. It was revealed that the molecules which have a dipole moment perpendicular to the molecular axis can be controlled by the application of the electric field during the evaporation process.<>