Graded ferroelectric capacitors with robust temperature characteristics

Ferroelectric thin films offer the possibility of engineering the dielectric response for tunable components in frequency-agile rf and microwave devices. However, this approach often leads to an undesired temperature sensitivity. Compositionally graded ferroelectric films have been explored as a means of redressing this sensitivity, but experimental observations vary depending on geometry and other details. In this paper, we present a continuum model to calculate the capacitive response of graded ferroelectric films with realistic electrode geometries by accurately accounting for the polarization distribution and long-range electrostatic interactions. We show that graded c-axis poled BaxSr1-xTiO3 (BST) parallel plate capacitors are ineffective while graded a-axis poled BST coplanar capacitors with interdigitated electrodes are extremely effective in obtaining high and temperature-stable dielectric properties. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.