Relaxor features in ferroelectric superlattices: A Maxwell–Wagner approach

A Maxwell–Wagner series capacitor model is proposed to explain anomalous dielectric properties of ferroelectric superlattices. The results of the model show that a superlattice consisting of normal ferroelectric layers separated by low-resistivity interfacial regions can account for most experimental results reported to date, namely: dielectric enhancement for certain stacking periodicities, giant permittivities, and temperature migration of dielectric maxima as a function of frequency. The predictions of the model are discussed and compared to our own experimental results from thin film superlattice capacitors made by pulsed-laser deposition.