Feedback of the amorphous phase on the ferroelectric phase: Imprint effects in P(VDF-TrFE)

A concept to understand the mechanism of imprint in P(VDF-TrFE) is presented. We assume dielectric and ferroelectric dipoles to coexist and to be located in amorphous and crystalline regions respectively. Due to reorientation processes of the dielectric dipoles over several decades in time an electric field contribution arises at the location of ferroelectric dipoles causing the observed effects of imprint. With a mean field approach the effects of imprint are predicted. Experimental evidence supporting the validity of the concept are presented.