Proximity coupling of granular film with ferroelectric substrate and giant electro-resistance effect

Abstract: We study electron transport in granular film placed above the ferroelectric substrate. We show that the conductivity of granular film strongly depends on the ferroelectric state due to screening effects which modify the Coulomb blockade in granular film. In particular, the electric current in granular film is controlled by the direction of ferroelectric polarization. We show that the ferroelectric/granular film system has a large electro-resistance effect. This effect can be utilized in memory and electric field sensor applications.