Study of ferroelectric and ferroelastic domain structures by scanning electron microscopy

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
At the beginning we present a review of the historical development of first observations of domain structures in ferroelectric and ferroelastic crystals with a SEM. A theory of the charging mechanism of an insulating sample bombarded by an electron beam gives an interpretation of experimental observations of ferroelectric crystals. This model is studied in order to give a guide to accomplish experiments and to interpret the observations of domains. A model of formation of the contrast between ferroelectric domains is presented. Visualization of domains and results obtained with unmetallized ferroelectric and ferroelastic crystals (TGS, BaTiO3, GASH, PbHPO4, LAS, etc.) are presented. The influence of the temperature and some other parameters on the domain structures is studied and their modifications at the ferroelectric-ferroelastic and ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transitions are also mentioned. Results obtained by the scanning electron decoration technique (SEDT) are presented.