Nanoscale conduction modulation in Au/Pb(Zr, Ti)O3/SrRuO3 heterostructure

Abstract

Nanoscale conduction modulation in an Au-tip/Pb(Zr, Ti)O3(PZT)/SrRuO3 heterostructure was observed using the Au-coated cantilever of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) as a mobile top electrode. In the ferroelectric layer of the heterostructure, a polarization-induced pattern 0.2 μm wide was written by applying a dc voltage and confirmed by the SPM piezoresponse method. The written pattern was read-out by detecting the change in conductance through the Au-tip/PZT/SrRuO3 heterostructure. Furthermore, the conduction modulations were explained by a model in which the Au-tip/PZT band bending is modified by an effective change injected into the PZT surface.