# Probing the role of single defects on the thermodynamics of electric-field induced phase transitions

Source: [Probing the role of single defects on the thermodynamics of electric-field induced phase transitions](<https://www.sota2.com/research/paper/68fa27fe2c2a3760193c61d6>)

Collection index: [llms.txt](<https://www.sota2.com/research/llms.txt>)

Data updated: 2025-10-28T13:52:49.721Z

Authors: S.V. Kalinin, S. Jesse, B.J. Rodriguez, Y.H. Chu, R. Ramesh, E.A. Eliseev, A.N. Morozovska

Published: 2008-02-04T21:43:49.000Z

## Abstract

The kinetics and thermodynamics of first order transitions is universally controlled by defects that act as nucleation sites and pinning centers. Here we demonstrate that defect-domain interactions during polarization reversal processes in ferroelectric materials result in a pronounced fine structure in electromechanical hysteresis loops. Spatially-resolved imaging of a single defect center in multiferroic BiFeO3 thin film is achieved, and the defect size and built-in field are determined self-consistently from the single-point spectroscopic measurements and spatially-resolved images. This methodology is universal and can be applied to other reversible bias-induced transitions including electrochemical reactions.

## Recorded benchmark results

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## Original sources and implementation

[Original paper](<https://arxiv.org/abs/0802.0517>)

[PDF](<https://arxiv.org/pdf/0802.0517.pdf>)