Computer simulations of switching behaviour in an orthorhombic ferroelectric model

Molecular-dynamics simulations of the switching process in the ferroelectri c commensurate 1/3 three-dimensional model crystal have been carried on. Th ree stages of domain kinetics were observed, nucleation of new domains, gro wth of new domains, and the annealing process which reverses concurrent dom ains and leads to a single domain. The corresponding relaxation times have been derived from the coercive field as a Function of external electric fie ld frequency. We have Found also that the time at which the repolarization current reaches a maximum characterizes the moment from which the amount of newly growing domains decreases, but the domain sizes increase.