Effect of phase transition on the surface potential of the BaTiO3 (100) surface by variable temperature scanning surface potential microscopy

Abstract

Variable temperature atomic force microscopy and scanning surface potentialmicroscopy are used to characterize the ferroelectric BaTiO 3 (100) surface. The influence of domain structure on surfacetopography and surface potential distribution is discussed. Domain induced surface corrugations were found to disappear above the Curie temperature confirming the local phase transition. Associated variations of surface potential are quantified. Relaxation of surface potential after the transition to paraelectric state on heating and during the transition to the ferroelectric state on cooling was observed. Differences in kinetics of the topographic structure and surface potential variations are used to distinguish polarization compensation mechanisms.