Kinetics of the Local Polarization Switching in Stoichiometric LiTaO3Under Electric Field Applied Using the Tip of Scanning Probe Microscope

The investigation of the local polarization switching including direct domain writing, local hysteresis measurements, and domain stability testing was carried out in single-crystalline stoichiometric lithium tantalate using the Scanning Probe Microscope. Piezoresponse Force Microscopy was utilized for domain visualization and recording of local switching characteristics. Two variants of domain patterning were shown: “direct writing” and “self-assembled formation.” The polarization reversal in direction opposite to applied field (“anti-parallel switching”) was studied in details and attributed to screening of external field.