Local polarization reversal of LiNbO3 by scanning the surface perpendicular to the axis of spontaneous polarization with a needle-shaped electrode

The principle of local polarization reversal of ferroelectrics using a moving needle-shaped electrode1 was used to make a comparative study of the characteristics of polarization reversal of LiNbO3 from the Z(001) and Y(010) surfaces. In addition to chemical etching, an optical polarization method was used to visualize the domain structure. It was noted that the different dependences of the domain length on the polarizing voltage observed for the different crystal surfaces may be caused by the conducting and polarization properties of the regions in which the domain growth occurs. It is shown that the depth of penetration of the created domains in the sample may be set.