Domain structure of barium titanate single crystals has been studied by scanning force microscopy (SFM). In the SFM topography mode, a–c-domain contrast was observed due to surface deformation as a result of lattice distortion on the domain wall separating a- and c-domains. The variety of configurations in which a- and c-domains are arranged results in complex topography of the crystal surface. Antiparallel c-domains of submicron size were produced by applying a voltage bias to the SFM tip and subsequently imaged in the SFM piezoresponse mode with a resolution of less than 20 nm.
Hatano, J.; Takahashi, K.; and Tokumoto, H., "Domain structure and polarization reversal in ferroelectrics studied by atomic force microscopy" (2005 The ferroelectric domain structure and its dynamics under applied electric field have been studied with nanoscale resolution by atomic force microscopy ͑AFM͒. Two mechanisms responsible for the contrast between opposite domains are proposed: large built-in domains are delineated in friction mode due to the tip-sample electrostatic interaction, and small domains created by an external field are imaged in topography mode due to piezoelectric deformation of the crystal. The ability of effective control of ferroelectric domains by applying a voltage between the AFM tip and the bottom electrode is demonstrated. It is experimentally confirmed that the sidewise growth of domain proceeds through the nucleation process on the domain wall.
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