Formation of self-assembled domain structures in single crystals of lithium tantalate with artificial dielectric layer

ABSTRACT

The polarization reversal was studied in single crystals of lithium tantalate with intermediate deviation from stoichiometric composition (([Li]/([Li]+[Ta]) = 48.9%) with and without surface photoresist layer. The switching current was analyzed according to the stages of domain structure evolution revealed during in situ visualization of domain kinetics. The characteristic times of the switching process were extracted by fitting of the experimental data using modified Kolmogorov-Avrami model. The formation of the self-assembled domain chains was observed during polarization reversal with photoresist dielectric layer on one polar surface.

KEYWORDS:

• Domain kinetics
• self-assembling
• lithium tantalate
• ferroelectric domains
• domain engineering

Acknowledgments

The equipment of the Ural Center for Shared Use “Modern Nanotechnology” UrFU was used.

Funding

The research was made possible by Russian Science Foundation (Grant 14-12-00826) and in part by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation (UID RFMEFI59414X0011).