Abstract
The kinetics and thermodynamics of first order transitions is universally controlled by defects that act as nucleation sites and pinning centers for moving transformation fronts. Here we demonstrate that defect-domain interactions during polarization reversal processes in ferroelectric materials result in a pronounced fine structure in electromechanical hysteresis loops. An analytical description of the role of a single defect on transition thermodynamics, loop shape, and data deconvolution for a single dipolar defect is developed. We expect this methodology to be universal and applicable for studying the role of single defects on other reversible bias-induced transitions including crystallization-amorphization in phase change memories and electrochemical reactions.
