Switching of a ferroelectric polymer Langmuir-Blodgett film studied by electrostatic force microscopy

Ultrathin ferroelectric Langmuir-Blodgett films are studied using an electr ostatic force microscope (EFM). The films were deposited by a subsequent tr ansfer of monolayers of a ferroelectric polymer from the water surface onto Si substrates covered with Al electrodes. A film was switched locally by a voltage applied between a tip and the Al electrode. The dynamics of the el ectric field relief above a switched ferroelectric domain is studied by EFM imaging with simultaneous control of the topographic relief. In order to e xplain an image contrast a simple model for a thin ferroelectric film is di scussed which takes into account the remanent polarization of the film, the surface charge, and interface work functions. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.