Ferroelectric Domains and Polarization Reversal in Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3Crystal

Domain patterns of ferroelectric Pb(Zn 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 crystal were observed by employing polarizing and electron microscopes. Upon applying d.c. electric field to the crystal, the domain patterns could be clearly visualised by the polarizing microscope. Electron microphotographic studies on the etched surface of the annealed crystal disclosed irregular patterns of micro-domains, which were about one µm in size. Experiments on polarization reversal were made with the (111) plate by means of pulsing technique. The exponential law of switching process was seen to hold and the activation field for polarization reversal was estimated as 17 kV/cm at room temperature.