ASYMMETRIC POLARIZATION SWITCHING IN TRIGLYCINE SULFATE CRYSTALS WITH FREE-SURFACE

Basic switching parameters (switching transient current, switching time, etc.) observed during electrical polarization reversal of undoped ferroelectric triglycine sulfate crystals with free surface are asymmetric. A comparison of the experimental data with the theoretical models of Fatuzzo [Phys. Rev. 127, 1999 (1962)], Pulvari, and Kuebler [J. Appl. Phys. 29, 1742 (1958)] shows that the classic models cannot to the fullest describe this type of polarization reversal. It is suggested that the asymmetric switching is caused by the difference in the field electron emission from a metal switching electrode and a ferroelectric crystal. © 1995 American Institute of Physics.