A model for switching in ferroelectric thin films by nucleation-growth of domains with three-dimensional polarization

In this paper we studied the switching kinetics using a discrete Landau-type three-dimensional polarization thermodynamic potential, with the elastic constraints of a film attached to a substrate. We have shown that 180/sup 0/ domain reversal and polarization vector rotations are possible switching mechanisms, depending on field strength and elastic stresses. The role of in-plane polarization components to switching has been investigated and shown to support experimental findings.