Double-peak switching current in soft ferroelectric lead zirconate titanate

Switching current measurements have been carried out on a soft lead zirconate titanate (PXE52, donor doped, modified proprietary composition with the overall formula PbZr0.415Ti0.585O3). The experiments showed a single switching current peak during the application of electric field to a nonpoled (virgin) sample. However, an unusual double peak for the switching current was observed upon reversing the electric field polarity. The pyrocurrent for a forward and reverse poled sample showed a related behavior. A single pyropeak is observed in the forward poled case and broadened peak was observed in case of a reverse poled sample. This behavior is attributed to non-180 degrees domain switching during the reverse poled case as a result of residual stresses developed during the forward poling. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.