Imaging ferroelectric domains in multiferroics using a low‐energy electron microscope in the mirror operation mode

We report on low‐energy electron microscopy imaging of ferroelectric domains with submicron resolution. Periodic strips of ‘up’ and ‘down’‐polarized ferroelectric domains in bismuth ferrite – a room temperature multiferroic – serve as a model system to compare low‐energy electron microscopy with the established piezoresponse force microscopy. The results confirm the possibility of full‐field imaging of ferroelectric domains with short acquisition times by exploiting the sensitivity of ultraslow electrons to small variations of the electric potential near surfaces in the “mirror” operation mode. magnified image (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)