On Polarization Reversal and Surface Neutralization in BaTiO3 Crystal

Abstract

Polarization reversal in BaTiO 3 is discussed taking account of neutralizing electrons or ions upon the crystal surface. The neutralizing charges spread on the surface of one c -domain from another one separated by the 180°-type domain wall, and build up there a kind of wall of moderate or large (especially in liquid electrode) thickness, which plays an important role in the side-wise motion of the wall during the reversal process. Since the property of electrodes has a great influence upon the creation of the wall, the behaviour of the side-wise motion has the great difference among metal, semiconductor and liquid. The rapid side-wise motion in liquid electode can be attributed to the extensive thickness of the wall in this case. The origin of the central peak in neutron diffraction is discussed from the scope of the displacement of front walls and also the side-wise motion of this walls.