A circuit device that make use of graded ferroelectric structures and
techniques by which such structures can be excited by external and
internal stimuli to render the device useful for a variety of circuit
applications. The device comprises at least two ferroelectric films, each
of the films having a graded dipole moment in a thickness direction
normal to the surfaces thereof. The graded dipole moment of each film is
effective to produce a change in the dipole charge density, and hence an
apparent net charge, on the first and second surfaces of each film when
an alternating electric field is applied to the film and additional
energy is imparted to the film. By providing an electrical connection
between the films, changes in the dipole charge density of the films
generated by application of the alternating electric field yield a device
charge separation output that differs from the individual changes in the
dipole charge density of the films.