Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 March 2011
Using Scanning Spreading Resistance Microscopy and direct current-voltage measurements, a long-relaxation transport current in polycrystalline PZT films is shown to depend on the polarization direction and voltage rise rate, the latter is typical for a capacitive current. The clockwise current hysteresis is observed at any polarization of the film. We suppose that the long current relaxation is due to recharge of traps, which participate in screening of polarization charges on PZT grain boundaries. The polarization charges response to applied bias for a short time, whereas the traps response to variation of the polarization charges takes much longer time.