Direct evidence of ferroelastic participation in 180° polarization switching and fatigue for 111 oriented rhombohedral ferroelectric 0.955 Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3:0.045 PbTiO3 single crystals

Abstract

Direct elastic deformation measurements taken during polarization reversal in 111 oriented 0.955 Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.045 PbTiO3 single crystals confirm the observation by W. Cao [Ferroelectrics 290, 107 (2003)] that a ferroelastic reorientation of the domain polarization vectors is involved, and the observed strain changes are consistent with the model he proposed. First cycle nonrecoverable fatigue occurring in our crystals and the associated changes of shape in polarization and strain hysteresis are suggested to be due to microcracking associated with the large very rapid strain changes associate with the ferroelastic switching mode.