An atomic-scale study was made of the influence of a single dislocation, in a

SrTiO3 sub-layer, upon the local ferroelectric polarization of the neighbouring

ferroelectric PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3 sub-layer in an epitaxial SrTiO3/PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3/SrTiO3

three-layer heterostructure. The strain field of the dislocation in the SrTiO3 layer

propagated across the interface into the PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3 layer and led to a strong

variation of the c-lattice parameter of the PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3 layer. Together with a

strong reduction in the c-lattice parameter, the off-center displacements of the Zr/Ti

atoms away from the center of the oxygen octahedra were also strongly reduced;

resulting in a decrease in the local spontaneous polarization of up to 48%.

Effect of a Single Dislocation in a Heterostructure Layer on the Local Polarization

of a Ferroelectric Layer. C.L.Jia, S.B.Mi, K.Urban, I.Vrejoiu, M.Alexe, D.Hesse:

Physical Review Letters, 2009, 102[11], 117601