Engineering multidomain ferroic samples

Abstract

The existence of domains is essential in many practical applications of ferroics. Here we discuss devices in which a fixed spatial distribution of domains plays the significant role. Depending on the prevailing attributes of multidomain single crystals, three different possibilities can be distinguished. In domain-geometry-engineered samples the spatial distribution of domains is tuned to correspond to the K-vectors of fields propagating through the material. In domain-average-engineered samples the crystal is subdivided into a very large number of domains, representing a limited number of domain states. In domain-wall-engineered samples the characteristics of static walls can play an essential role in the averaged macroscopic properties. Examples illustrating these approaches are given.