Switching Time in Ferroelectric BaTiO3 and Its Dependence on Crystal Thickness

The switching time ts and the switching current imax have been measured as a function of applied field E and of the size of the sample. It has been observed that the ``activation field'' α for the nucleation of new domains is inversely proportional to the thickness of the sample. This behavior can be explained by assuming a surface layer. The thickness of this layer has been calculated to be of the order of 10−4 cm. The same way we can explain the thickness dependence of the 60-cycle coercive field strength. Furthermore, it has been found that the switching time depends to a first approximation linearly on the thickness of the sample if the field E is kept constant. This can be explained by assuming a domain wall motion primarily in the forward direction or by assuming a nucleation mechanism. The maximum velocity of the domain growth was found to be of the order of the velocity of sound. The switching time does not depend on electrode area.