Formation of nanodomain ensembles during polarization reversal in Sr0.61Ba0.39Nb2O6: Ce single crystals

Abstract

The results of the study of nano- and microdomain structure evolution in single crystals of relaxor ferroelectric strontium barium niobate Sr0. 61Ba0. 39Nb2O6 doped by cerium are presented. It was shown that the initial nanodomain structure represents a self-similar three-dimensional maze. The fractal dimension and average period were revealed. It was demonstrated that application of series of alternating electric field pulses makes it possible to produce a single-domain state in the surface layer. The features of the growth and "merging," as well as the shape of ensembles of isolated nanodomains formed during switching from the single-domain state, were investigated. The formation of the nanodomain ensembles was considered as a result of the self-organized discrete switching controlled by determined nucleation. © 2011 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.