Polarization Reversal by Sideways Expansion of Domains in Ferroelectric Triglycine Sulfate

At fields in the range 30–35 v cm−1, polarization reversal in liquid-electroded triglycine sulfate crystals is accomplished by the formation and sideways expansion of a relatively few domains. While small, the domains are elliptical or lenticular in shape, but as they grow, they tend to become irregular before amalgamating with each other. In some cases, at least, the elliptical domains have approximately equilibrium shapes as determined by the wall energy. Some general results are given concerning the sites at which the domains form and the way in which domains contract when the field is reversed.