Determination of 60° polarization nanodomains in a relaxor-based ferroelectric single crystal

Abstract

Here, we report a determination of monoclinic nanodomains in PMN-xPT with x = 31%PT by using scanning convergent beam electron diffraction (SCBED). We show the presence of 60 ± α degree nanodomains with Cm-like symmetry as well as significant variations (α) in local polarization directions across lengths of ∼10 nm. The principle of our technique is general and can be applied for the determination of polarization domains in other ferroelectric materials of different symmetry.