Abstract: A method for switching the direction of polarization in a relatively small domain in a thin-film ferroelectric material whose direction of polarization is oriented normal to the surface of the material involves a step of moving an electrically-chargeable tip into contact with the surface of the ferroelectric material so that the direction of polarization in a region adjacent the tip becomes oriented in a preselected direction relative to the surface of the ferroelectric material. The tip is then pressed against the surface of the ferroelectric material so that the direction of polarization of the ferroelectric material within the area of the ferroelectric material in contact with the tip is reversed under the combined effect of the compressive influence of the tip and electric bias.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a substrate, a ferroelectric capacitor which includes a ferroelectric film on the substrate, and a stress application layer which applies tensile or compressive stress to the ferroelectric film of the ferroelectric capacitor by applying stress to the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a substrate, a ferroelectric capacitor which includes a ferroelectric film on the substrate, and a stress application layer which applies tensile or compressive stress to the ferroelectric film of the ferroelectric capacitor by applying stress to the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a substrate, a ferroelectric capacitor which includes a ferroelectric film on the substrate, and a stress application layer which applies tensile or compressive stress to the ferroelectric film of the ferroelectric capacitor by applying stress to the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a substrate, a ferroelectric capacitor which includes a ferroelectric film on the substrate, and a stress application layer which applies tensile or compressive stress to the ferroelectric film of the ferroelectric capacitor by applying stress to the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a substrate, a ferroelectric capacitor which includes a ferroelectric film on the substrate, and a stress application layer which applies tensile or compressive stress to the ferroelectric film of the ferroelectric capacitor by applying stress to the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a substrate, a ferroelectric capacitor which includes a ferroelectric film on the substrate, and a stress application layer which applies tensile or compressive stress to the ferroelectric film of the ferroelectric capacitor by applying stress to the substrate.

Abstract: A ferroelectric film measuring instrument and measuring method of the same which are able to measure the transient current during the polarization inversion of a ferroelectric capacitor having a small capacity with high precision. A pulse generator 10 generates a pulse signal and applies it through a transmission line and a tip 50 to an upper electrode 62 of a ferroelectric capacitor. The output current iFE from a lower electrode 64 at the time of application of the pulse is converted to a voltage Vo by a resistor 30. This is amplified by a preamplifier 40 and output. The current iFE is measured by the output voltage Vo.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating a ferroelectric capacitor by examining a structure in a prescribed area on a surface of a ferroelectric membrane using a piezo-response mode of a scanning force microscope. The method adopts a layered structure, in which an electrode and the ferroelectric membrane form a pseudo ohmic contact, and comprises the steps of: inducing a localized polarization inversion in a selected crystal grain in the ferroelectric membrane by imposing a voltage pulse having a prescribed polarity; determining a retention time by obtaining a piezo-response image for a prescribed time till a complete inversion of a write domain; and determining a retention characteristic by measuring a time till a complete disappearance of a switched domain or by measuring a time-dependency at a region where the polarization inversion are being retained.