Atomic-scale and dynamic properties in oxide-ferroelectrics
Dr. Oana Condurache, Postdoctoral researcher at Centralesupélec, Université Paris-Saclay, France
Ferroelectrics are a major class of multifunctional materials characterized by a spontaneous electric polarization that can be reversibly switched by an external electric field. This distinctive property couples strongly with other physical phenomena—such as strain, light, magnetism, and charge transport—making ferroelectrics highly adaptable and tunable. A century of ferroelectric research has successfully integrated these materials into the electronics industry, where they are essential components of capacitors, sensors, random-access memories, and energy-harvesting devices. Beyond these established applications, ferroelectrics are now emerging as key enablers of next-generation technologies, such as neuromorphic computing, advanced photovoltaics, photonic systems, and reconfigurable nanoelectronics.
In recent years, several paradigm shifts have reshaped the field of ferroelectrics. One of the most significant is the transition from focusing primarily on macroscopic responses to probing and controlling the nano- to atomic scale phenomena. The discovery of enhanced conductivity at interfaces (i.e., conductive domain walls) or exotic polar textures, such as vortices that evolve under external fields are just a few examples in this emerging frontier. This progress coincides with and has been made possible by remarkable advancements of atomic-resolution techniques, particularly (scanning) transmission electron microscopy - (S)TEM.
This seminar will showcase a series of studies at the nano-to-atomic scale, where (S)TEM serves as the primary characterization tool. We’ll explore direct observations of ferroelectric switching, domain wall motion, and atomic-scale electric-field-induced phenomena in conventional ferroelectric crystals. Additionally, the seminar will take you through structural studies of ferroelectric-like materials that exhibit complex polar orders—for example, ferroelectric/dielectric multilayers—as well as ferroelectric-relaxor materials.