Low‐energy switching of ferroelectrics is currently being investigated for energy‐efficient nanoelectronics. While conventional methods employ electrical fields to switch the polarization state, mechanical switching is investigated as an interesting alternative low‐energy switching concept, if low enough pressures could be achieved. Here, the thickness‐dependent mechanical and electrical switching behavior of ferroelectric PbZr_0.48Ti_0.52O₃/YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ (PZT/YBCO) epitaxial heterostructures grown on single crystalline LaAlO₃‐(001)_{pseudo‐cubic} (LAO) substrate is reported. Mechanical switching is found under relatively low force (600 nN; estimated pressure ≈0.21 GPa) in atomic force microscopy‐based measurements. Mechanically switched domains can be erased by small electric fields and, interestingly, exhibit a surface potential change similar to electrically poled areas. The feasibility of switching these heterostructures with very low pressure makes them promising candidates for nanoscale electromechanical devices.

中文翻译：

---

PbZr0.48Ti0.52O3中铁电畴的低压机械切换

目前正在研究铁电体的低能开关，以实现节能的纳米电子学。尽管传统方法使用电场来切换极化状态，但如果可以实现足够低的压力，则将机械切换作为一种有趣的替代性低能耗切换概念进行研究。在此，在单晶LaAlO _3-（001）_伪立方晶体上生长的铁电PbZr _0.48 Ti _0.52 O ₃ / YBa ₂ Cu ₃ O _{7− δ}（PZT / YBCO）外延异质结构的厚度依赖性机械和电学转换行为报告了（LAO）底物。在基于原子力显微镜的测量中，在相对较低的力（600 nN；估计压力≈0.21GPa）下发现了机械切换。机械切换的磁畴可以通过小电场擦除，有趣的是，其表面电位变化类似于电极化区域。在非常低的压力下转换这些异质结构的可行性使其成为纳米级机电设备的有希望的候选者。