Scanning electron microscopic investigations of peculiarities of the BaTiO3 ferroelectric domain contrast

Possibilities and conditions for SEM observations on barium titanate domain structures are discussed. The optimum conditions to observe domains of the samples with no conducting layer are those providing a positive charge on the surface. The samples under study are examined in the secondary electron mode at 2 to 4 kV. Under these conditions the electron microscopic contrast of the domains of different types is found to arise due to the potential effects. The mechanism of the formation of the potential contrast in BaTiO3 is proposed and discussed. The charge accumulated on the surface at electron bombardment is considered to mainly cause the appearance of such a contrast, the latter being determined by the anisotropy of dielectric permittivity and different conduction in various sites of the sample.