In-bulk polarization reversal in lithium tantalate with single charged domain wall

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the first experimental observation of polarization reversal in the bulk of ferroelectric with a charged domain wall (CDW) under the action of an electric field on the example of a single crystal LiTaO3 plate. A CDW was obtained in the sample bulk at the locus of points with a sign change of the composition gradient which results from sample annealing in lithium rich atmosphere. Imaging of the domain structure in the bulk and its evolution on the surface made it possible to detect anomalous domain kinetics, which represents the growth of ledges on the CDW toward the polar surface. The main stages of the domain structure evolution on the polar surface, including the growth of isolated domains, as well as the formation and decay of the maze domain structure, were revealed. An analysis is made for the time dependence of the area fraction occupied by growing domains. We used a kinetic approach based on the analogy between the growth of domains and crystals to explain the obtained results.