The domain wall phenomena at the coercive state in KDP crystals

Abstract

The dielectric properties of KDP crystals have been known for a long time: high values below the Curie temperature up to the domain freezing. We show the similarity of the domain wall phenomena in the dielectric measurements with natural textures below the transition and in the coercive state during a hysteresis cycle. The properties of these dense domain textures are studied by macroscopic measurements (dielectric, piezoelectric), but also by differential γ ray diffractometry, light and electronic emission, and diffraction of a laser beam. The strong lateral interactions between the domain walls explain the collective processes and the instable situation of the walls themselves.

Key Words:

• Domain structure
• dielectric properties
• piezoelectric properties
• γ-ray diffractometry
• KDP