@article{33586,
  keywords = {phase transitions, defects, Polarization, Electric field effects, thermodynamics, Hysteresis loops, Spectroscopic analysis, Built-in fields, Electrochemical reactions, Pinning centers, Polarization reversal},
  author = {S.V Kalinin and S Jesse and B.J Rodriguez and Y.H Chu and Ramamoorthy Ramesh and E.A Eliseev and A.N Morozovska},
  title = {Probing the role of single defects on the thermodynamics of electric-field induced phase transitions},
  abstract = {The kinetics and thermodynamics of first order transitions are universally controlled by defects that act as nucleation sites and pinning centers. Here we demonstrate that defect-domain interactions during polarization reversal processes in ferroelectric materials result in a pronounced fine structure in electromechanical hysteresis loops. Spatially resolved imaging of a single defect center in multiferroic BiFeO3 thin film is achieved, and the defect size and built-in field are determined self-consistently from the single-point spectroscopic measurements and spatially resolved images. This methodology is universal and can be applied to other reversible bias-induced transitions including electrochemical reactions. © 2008 The American Physical Society.},
  year = {2008},
  journal = {Physical Review Letters},
  volume = {100},
  number = {15},
  issn = {00319007},
  doi = {10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.155703},
  note = {cited By 69},
  language = {eng},
}