Micro-Raman imaging of ferroelectric domain structures in the bulk of PMN-PT single crystals

Abstract

We demonstrate the application of confocal Raman microscopy (CRM) for nondestructive imaging of ferroelectric domains both at the surface and in the bulk of lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT) ferroelectric single crystals. The studied model periodical domain structure was created at a [001] cut of tetragonal-phase PMN-PT crystal by the electron beam patterning technique. It was shown that the surface CRM domain image coincides in details with the image obtained by piezoresponse force microscopy.