Suppression of polarization switching in triglycine sulfate crystals

Polarization switching in triglycine sulfate crystals with one of the polar surfaces covered by a thin dielectric film (1 mu m) has been found to be highly diminished in a 50 Hz electric field. We assume that the depolarization field caused by the him significantly moderates the process of the nucleation and (or) sideways motion of 180 degrees domain walls. When crystals with both conductive electrodes were connected to the Sawyer-Tower circuit through the capacitor, which was equivalent to the dielectric film, the polarization reversal did occur. We assume that in the case of the conductive electrode, a nonuniform distribution of the electrical charge at the electrode/ferroelectric interface and an injection current through the interface trigger off polarization reversal. Analysis of the energetic state of the crystals has been performed. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.