Mapping bias-induced phase stability and random fields in relaxor ferroelectrics

Abstract

The spatial variability of polarization reversal behavior in the relaxor 0.9Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3O3)–0.1PbTiO3 crystal, is revealed on the ∼ 100 nm scale using switching spectroscopy piezoresponse force microscopy. Quenched fields conjugate to polarization are found, which show mesoscopic ( ∼ 100–200 nm) spatial fluctuations around near-zero bias values. The mapping of the stability gap of the bias-induced phase and conjugate random fields is demonstrated. The origin of the observed nanoscale domains and the field-induced part of the polarization are discussed.