Ferroelectric films and their device applications

Recent reseach on ferroelectric films is discussed, with emphasis on preparative problems, optimization of film structure and of electrical properties and application in devices. Rapid progress has been made in each of these research areas and this fact, together with the emergence of certain new materials such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF₂), is increasing the variety of possible applications to solid state devices. Typical examples considered here include microwave capacitors, thermistor bolometers, pyroelectrics, piezoelectric transducers, memories and optical display devices. The present state of the art for these applications and materials development needed for further progress are reviewed.