Scanning Force Microscopy Studies of Domain Structure in BaTiO3 Single Crystals

Abstract

Domain structure of barium titanate single crystals has been studied by scanning force microscopy (SFM). In the SFM topography mode, a–c-domain contrast was observed due to surface deformation as a result of lattice distortion on the domain wall separating a- and c-domains. The variety of configurations in which a- and c-domains are arranged results in complex topography of the crystal surface. Antiparallel c-domains of submicron size were produced by applying a voltage bias to the SFM tip and subsequently imaged in the SFM piezoresponse mode with a resolution of less than 20 nm.