文摘
Thin ferroelectric films are prospective materials for applications in the area of tunable microwave electronics as a base for varactors, phase shifters, delay lines, tunable filters and antennas. The most important technological aspect of using thin polar films in electronics is a possibility of miniaturization. By means of piezoresponse force microscopy technique, it is possible to create nanometer-sized areas (or ferroelectric domains) in thin films with preferable direction of polarization. Besides the fact that these domains could be used as a bit for mass storage application, it was found, that domain walls have their own properties, moreover, they are mobile. This circumstance could give rise to a new type of technology where mobile domain walls will be the “active ingredient” of the device.