Segura, J. J.Domingo, N.Fraxedas, J.Verdaguer, A.2013-10-012013-10-012013-10-01201310.1063/1.4801983https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/95367WOS:000319294100119We have combined Piezoresponse Force Microscopy and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) to study screening charge dynamics in written domains on PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3 (PZT) thin film surfaces under a controlled environment and at variable temperature. The screening dynamics decayed exponentially on a timescale of tens of minutes, consistently with what we expected for water-mediated surface diffusion of ionic species. Variable-temperature KPFM measurements showed variations in surface potential due to temporary unbalanced surface screening charges. Low humidity experiments revealed gradual incorporation of positive charges onto the surface, even in a non-reactive environment (N-2), as well as deceleration of the screening dynamics upon reversal of the temperature variation. Our work may serve as a guide for future studies on the dynamics and nature of adsorbates on polarized PZT thin films. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLCSurface screening of written ferroelectric domains in ambient conditionstext::conference output::conference proceedings::conference paper