Optical microscopic mapping of the domain structure of BaTiO₃ microcrystals

Abstract

The studies of 90° and 180° domain structure in a series of thin and ultrathin BaTiO₃ microcrystals have been performed. The effects of thermal, electric and mechanical treatment on the processes of ageing and memory of the domain structure have been analysed. The studies were carried out in the region of the temperature phase transition in a constant electric external field and under point or linear mechanical stress. The applied methods of analysis were optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The relations between the domain and crystalline structure of the microcrystals were discussed in the whole range of thermal, electric and mechanical transformations.