Evolution of the domain structure of triglycine sulphate single crystal in the vicinity of phase transition

ABSTRACT

The temporal behavior of the domain structure of triglycine sulphate single crystal (TGS) was studied by means of atomic force microscopy near the phase transition temperature: 321 K ≤ T <T_C = 322 K. It is shown that the total number of domains and their total linear dimensions along two selected directions decrease exponentially in time. The average linear dimensions of domains along nearly [001] and [100] directions obey to the law: <w> ∼ t^ϕ. The exponent ϕ varies from 0,45 to 0,93. These values indicate to the non-conservative nature of macroscopic order parameter characterizing the domain structure of TGS in the temperature interval under study. A character of time dependence of the average velocity of lateral movement (nearly along [001]) of the domain walls changes qualitatively when removing from the phase transition temperature.

KEYWORDS:

• Triglycine sulphate
• domain structure
• atomic force microscopy
• parameters of domains
• time dependencies