| Ferroelectrics (FEs) exhibit stable spontaneous polarization states in the absence of an applied electric field, analogous to other ferroic systems such as ferromagnetics and ferroelastics. Incomplete screening of surface charges along the FE-electrode interface creates a potential gradient across the FE layer. This yields a depolarizing field which greatly suppresses polarization, particularily in systems approaching finite sizes, where surface and interface effects exhibit far more influence than in the bulk. Identifying mechanisms for reducing the detrimental effects of the depolarizing field and maintaining FE stability in finite dimensions remains the largest obstacle in FEs realizing their potential as next generation devices such as electrocaloric coolers, actuators, sensors, photovoltaics, and non-volatile memory elements.;This thesis aims to develop a reproducible, versatile synthetic approach towards cylindrical conductive core-ferroelectric perovskite oxide shell nanostructures. The inherent finite curvature produces surface-tension based stresses which may be used to nonlinearily couple to charge, thus mitigating the destabilizing effects of the depolarizing field. This study will show that FE stability is enhanced in curved nanostructures as compared to their planar counterparts. Piezoresponse force microscopy, a modified scan probe technique, will be used to elucidate these effects via imaging and static hysteresis collection. The improved FE stability enables the demonstration of a single, integrated FE field effect transistor test structure, showing nanoscale integration of a FE layer in direct contact with silicon, a notable challenge in developing semiconductor industrial applications. |
