Measurements of ferroelectric switching characteristics in polyvinylidene fluoride

Abstract

The ferroelectric switching characteristics of polyvinylidene fluoride have been investigated by the time domain measurement of electric displacement under a step-function field up to 200 MV/m at temperatures between −100 and 20 °C. Almost complete reversal of polarization is found to occur in a fairly short time if the applied field is sufficiently high. The switching time is 4 μsec at 20 °C under a field of 200 MV/m and increases significantly as either field or temperature decreases. The rate of change of polarization is greater than the rate associated with a single relaxation process. This is an indication of cooperative effects in the switching process of this ferroelectric polymer.