Polarization Reversal Process in Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ with 90° Domain Wall Structure

Abstract

Polarization reversal process with the 90° domain wall structure at a low-frequency field was observed in the c-plate sample of Bi ₄ Ti ₃ O ₁₂ using a polarizing microscope. We found that the polarization reversal process with the 90° domain wall structure consists of some basic modes: the translation, pair annihilation, and generation of the 90° domain wall. All of the modes were found to satisfy the conditions of the compatibility of the strains at the wall (the Sapriel theory) and the reduction in the depolarization field. It is pointed out that these two conditions are the most important principles that govern the polarization reversal of the system with the 90° domain structure.

Keywords:

• Polarization reversal
• in situ observation
• domain wall
• Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂
• ferroelectrics

Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by Murata Science Foundation for MI.