Temperature Dependence of Ferroelectric Properties of the Potassium Lithium Tantalate K_1−xLi_xTaO₃ Obtained with Piezoresponse Force Microscopy Technique

Abstract

In the present paper we report the first results of the study of the polar state of the surface structure of single crystal of potassium tantalate doped with Li ⁺ ions (KLT-3%) by the piezoresponse force microscopy technique in the temperature range 10–295 K. The results obtained demonstrate the existence of polar nanoregions on the surface of the KLT-3% single crystal at temperatures 10 – 80 K. Spatial distribution and temperature evolution of these polar nanoregions are analyzed. Observation of the structure of polar nanoregions of KLT-3% crystal in zero field heating after zero field cooling regime gives the evidence of the existence of spontaneous polarization in the low-temperature phase.

Keywords:

• Relaxors
• potassium tantalate doped with lithium
• low temperature
• piezoresponse force microscopy

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by RFBR (grants 13-02-12429 and 14-02-01208), by the grant of the government of the Russian Federation 2012-220-03-434, contract 14.B25.31.0025 and by a grant of the St. Petersburg government.