Domain Structure in BaTiO3 Whiskers

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Abstract
Ferroelectric barium titanate whiskers have been grown in the presence of a melt containing BaCl2, BaCO3, and TiO2 in molar ratios of 2:2:1, respectively. These whiskers have dimensions of the order of 10μ×10μ×1mm. The domain configurations have been analyzed by observing all 4 sides of the whisker with transmitted polarized light. The majority of the domains are bounded by 90° domain walls, but 180° walls have been observed in some instances. The visible domains were often found to contain small subdomains which were detected by etching the whisker in HF. Bending the whiskers produced wedge‐shaped domains as a stress‐relieving mechanism. Such wedges are divided in the center by 180° domain walls and often contain small spike‐shaped subdomains. It was possible to remove some of the domain walls by the application of an external axial electric field.