Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026

Bulk and Thin Film Synthesis of Compositionally Variant Entropy-stabilized Oxides
Published on: May 29, 2018
Polarity in oxide ultrathin films
Claudine Noguera1, Jacek Goniakowski
1CNRS, UMR7588, INSP, Campus Boucicaut, 140 rue de Lourmel, Paris 75015, France. Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, UMR7588, INSP, Paris 75015, France.
Abstract:
Relying on first-principles calculations within density functional theory and on an analytical model for the electronic structure, we present an overview of specific electronic and structural features of polar ultrathin films. MgO(111) unsupported films of finite thickness are chosen as a generic system, in order to extract general concepts associated with polarity at the nanoscale, relate them to the well-known semi-infinite case, and unravel specific scenarios of polarity compensation which are not present for the latter. Size dependent behavior of the compensating charge and formation energy, changes in crystallographic structure, and the possibility of substantial lattice distortions throughout entire films are analyzed and discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Potential Due to a Polarized Object
Molecular Shape and Polarity
Induced Electric Dipoles
Since the absolute value of potential energy holds no physical meaning, its zero value can be chosen as per...
The Electrical Double Layer
Dielectric Polarization in a Capacitor

