Surface study of ferroelectric domains on G. A. S. H. single crystals by scanning electron microscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy

The domain structure of G. A. S. H. single crystals is investigated by scanning electron microscopy without metallization of the surface of the crystal. In the middle of the surface, hexagonal domain corresponding to a potential variation is observed. Outside of this zone, ferroelectric domains of different shapes are observed, these antiparallel domains correspond to a surface potential variation and their contrast varies versus the accelerating voltage of the primary electrons as for T. G. S. The conditions for analyze the surface of G. A. S. H. crystal by Auger electron spectroscopy are obtained. A difference of sulfur and oxygen concentration between outside and inside of hexagonal domain is presented.