Temperature dependence of polarization switching in deuterated glycine phosphite single crystals

The influence of temperature on domain switching behaviour has been investigated in deuterated glycine phosphite (DGPI) single crystals. The experimental data have been collected from direct microscopic observation of the domain structure during switching and D–E hysteresis loop registration. In order to clarify the relationship between macroscopic hysteresis loop and local switching parameters, we used the nematic liquid crystal method to visualize domain structure dynamics in electric fields. The ‘triple-like’ shape of hysteresis loop observed near the ferro- to paraelectric phase transition has a strong link to the configuration of ferroelectric microdomains and compositional disorder in DGPI crystals.

Keywords:

• polarization switching
• hysteresis loop
• internal bias field
• DGPI