Interplay between Point and Extended Defects and Their Effects on Jerky Domain-Wall Motion in Ferroelectric Thin Films.

Defects have a significant influence on the polarization and electromechanical properties of ferroelectric materials. Statistically, they can be seen as random pinning centers acting on an elastic manifold, slowing domain-wall propagation and raising the energy required to switch polarization. Here we show that the "dressing" of defects can lead to unprecedented control of domain-wall dynamics.