FR011: Issues in commercializing thin ferroelectric films

Thin ferroelectric films began their journey to commercialization in the mid-1980's at Ramtron and Krysalis Corporation. Despite the product mentoring provided by bulk ceramic ferroelectric materials and the amazing device prototypes built by teams under the leadership of researchers such as Dr. Polla at the University of Minnesota, Dr. McKinstry at Penn State University or Dr. Muralt at EPFL, thin ferroelectric films have yet to impact commercial markets outside of the FeRAMs made by Fujitsu, Matsushita and Texas Instruments. To be successful, products derived from thin ferroelectric films must appeal to people outside of our narrow technological community. There is a large gap between what we as researchers do in our pursuit of the technology and what is necessary to bridge the divide between the basic device and useful products. Simplicity, usefulness, design, infrastructure, product cost, competition and education are all key factors for successful commercialization of this unique and valuable technology.