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Abstract
In a ferroic phase transition, the group – subgroup relationships and irreducible representations involved can be used to predict the number and characteristics of individual homogeneous domains that arise in the transition. These characteristics can be extended to twin structures and their diperiodic symmetry classification. In the continuum approximation, this grouptheoretical approach allows the construction of the Landau – Ginzburg free energy, from which equations describing the order-parameter profiles can be obtained. Some details of these profiles will be discussed, including how they relate to terms in the free energy. Lead orthovanadate, Pb3(VO4)2, will be the prototype for the discussion.