Single- and multi-domain ferroelectricity driven by interfaces

The design of the interfacial bondings at metal-oxide interfaces yields exciting new phenomena and can be a route to sustain, and even promote, ferroelectricity at the nanoscale. We study the impact of these interfaces on the nature of the spontaneous polarization (single- vs. multi-domain) of ferroelectric capacitors. We show that interfacial properties intertwine with both ferrolectric and electrode parameters to determine the actual ground state of the system. We find analytically the criterion that specifies if ferroelectricity appears in a single- or multi- domain fashion as a result of this intertwining. The physics behind this criterion suggests new means for tailoring ferroelectric functionalities.