Observation of ferroelectric domains in LiTaO₃

Abstract

Periodic and partially reversed 180° domain patterns in LiTaO₃ single crystals, engineered through pulse poling, can be directly observed by using environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) in secondary electron emission mode. The ESEM technique does not require surface treatment and can be used to observe ferroelectric domains on a natural cracked surface in a bulk material. This is very important since the domain patterns obtained by this technique can truly represent the domain configurations in a bulk. The domain structures are confirmed by chemical etching and scanning electron microscopy. The ESEM gives stable and high resolution images.

Key Words:

• ESEM
• Ferroelectric domains
• SEM
• TEM
• domain switching
• LiTaO₃

PACS Numbers:

• 61.16Bg
• 77.80Dj
• 61.72Mm
• 77.22Ej