Recently, the anomalous photovoltaic (PV) effect in BiFeO3 (BFO) thin films, which resulted in open circuit voltages (Voc) considerably larger than the band gap of the material, has generated a revival of the entire field of photoferroelectrics. Here, via temperature-dependent PV studies, we prove that the bulk photovoltaic (BPV) effect, which has been studied in the past for many non-centrosymmetric materials, is at the origin of the anomalous PV effect in BFO films. Moreover, we show that irrespective of the measurement geometry, Voc as high as 50 V can be achieved by controlling the conductivity of domain walls (DW). We also show that photoconductivity of the DW is markedly higher than in the bulk of BFO.

Ferroelectrics are materials exhibiting spontaneous electric polarization due to dipoles formed by displacements of charged ions inside the crystal unit cell. Their exceptional properties are exploited in a variety of microelectronic applications. As ferroelectricity is strongly influenced by surfaces, interfaces and domain boundaries, there is great interest in exploring how the local atomic structure affects the electric properties. Here, using the negative spherical-aberration imaging technique in an aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope, we investigate the cation-oxygen dipoles near 180 degrees domain walls in epitaxial PbZr(0.2)Ti(0.8)O(3) thin films on the atomic scale. The width and dipole distortion across a transversal wall and a longitudinal wall are measured, and on this basis the local polarization is calculated. For the first time, a large difference in atomic details between charged and uncharged domain walls is reported.

Spin-polarized transport in ferromagnetic tunnel junctions, characterized by tunnel magnetoresistance, has already been proven to have great potential for application in the field of spintronics and in magnetic random access memories. Until recently, in such a junction the insulating barrier played only a passive role, namely to facilitate electron tunnelling between the ferromagnetic electrodes. However, new possibilities emerged when ferroelectric materials were used for the insulating barrier, as these possess a permanent dielectric polarization switchable between two stable states. Adding to the two different magnetization alignments of the electrode, four non-volatile states are therefore possible in such multiferroic tunnel junctions. Here, we show that owing to the coupling between magnetization and ferroelectric polarization at the interface between the electrode and barrier of a multiferroic tunnel junction, the spin polarization of the tunnelling electrons can be reversibly and remanently inverted by switching the ferroelectric polarization of the barrier. Selecting the spin direction of the tunnelling electrons by short electric pulses in the nanosecond range rather than by an applied magnetic field enables new possibilities for spin control in spintronic devices.

Low-dimensional ferroelectric structures are a promising basis for the next generation of ultrahigh-density nonvolatile memory devices. Depolarization fields, created by incompletely compensated charges at the surfaces and interfaces, depress the polarization of such structures. Theory suggests that under conditions of uncompensated surface charges, local dipoles can organize in flux-closure structures in thin films and vortex structures in nano-sized ferroelectrics, reducing depolarization fields. However, the continuous rotation of the dipoles required in vortex structures and the behavior of unit cell dipoles in flux-closure structures have never been experimentally established. By aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy, we obtained experimental evidence for continuous rotation of the dipoles closing the flux of 180° domains in a ferroelectric perovskite thin film.

Photoelectric properties of multiferroic BiFeo 3 , such as large photovoltages exceeding several times the bandgap or switchable photocurrents, have recently generated much interest. This is mostly because of potential applications in photovoltaic or photocatalytic devices. Although the fundamentally different (from classical semiconductors) polarization-related charge separation mechanisms allow unlimited photovoltages, these materials have never been considered a viable alternative to classical semiconductor-based photovoltaics because of a very low light conversion efficiency of less than 10 . Here we investigate the anomalous photovoltaic effect in bismuth ferrite BiFeo 3 single crystals, using photoelectric atomic force microscopy and piezoresponse force microscopy. We show that using a nanoscale top electrode, the photoexcited carriers are efficiently collected and the external quantum efficiency is enhanced by up to seven orders of magnitude. This enhancement might provide a viable alternative for the effective use of the anomalous photovoltaic effect in photovoltaic applications.

Ferroelectric materials have emerged in recent years as an alternative to magnetic and dielectric materials for nonvolatile data-storage applications. Lithography is widely used to reduce the size of data-storage elements in ultrahigh-density memory devices. However, ferroelectric materials tend to be oxides with complex structures that are easily damaged by existing lithographic techniques, so an alternative approach is needed to fabricate ultrahigh-density ferroelectric memories. Here we report a high-temperature deposition process that can fabricate arrays of individually addressable metal/ferroelectric/metal nanocapacitors with a density of 176 Gb inch(-2). The use of an ultrathin anodic alumina membrane as a lift-off mask makes it possible to deposit the memory elements at temperatures as high as 650 degrees C, which results in excellent ferroelectric properties.

Defects exist in almost all materials and defect engineering at the atomic level is part of modern semiconductor technology. Defects and their long-range strain fields can have a negative impact on the host materials. In materials with confined dimensions, the influence of defects can be even more pronounced due to the enhanced relative volume of the 'defective' regions. Here we report the dislocation-induced polarization instability of (001)-oriented Pb(Zr(0.52)Ti(0.48))O(3) (PZT) nanoislands, with an average height of approximately 9 nm, grown on compressive perovskite substrates. Using quantitative high-resolution electron microscopy, we visualize the strain fields of edge-type misfit dislocations, extending predominantly into a PZT region with a height of approximately 4 nm and width of approximately 8 nm. The lattice within this region deviates from the regular crystal structure. Piezoresponse force microscopy indicates that such PZT nanoislands do not show ferroelectricity. Our results suggest that misfit engineering is indispensable for obtaining nanostructured ferroelectrics with stable polarization.

Ferroelectrics carry a switchable spontaneous electric polarization. This polarization is usually coupled to strain, making ferroelectrics good piezoelectrics. When coupled to magnetism, they become so-called multiferroic systems, a field that has been widely investigated since 2003. While ferroelectrics are birefringent and non-linear optically transparent materials, the coupling of polarization with optical properties has received, since 2009, renewed attention, triggered notably by low-bandgap ferroelectrics suitable for sunlight spectrum absorption and original photovoltaic effects. Consequently, power conversion efficiencies up to 8.1% were recently achieved and values of 19.5% were predicted, making photoferroelectrics promising photovoltaic alternatives. This article aims at providing an up-to-date review on this emerging and rapidly progressing field by highlighting several important issues and parameters, such as the role of domain walls, ways to tune the bandgap, consequences arising from the polarization switchability, and the role of defects and contact electrodes, as well as the downscaling effects. Beyond photovoltaicity, other polarization-related processes are also described, like light-induced deformation (photostriction) or light-assisted chemical reaction (photostriction). It is hoped that this overview will encourage further avenues to be explored and challenged and, as a byproduct, will inspire other research communities in material science, e.g., so-called hybrid halide perovskites.