Scanning secondary-electron microscopy on ferroelectric domains and domain walls in YMnO_3

摘要

Ferroelectric domain structures in YMnO_3 single crystals on the hexagonal polar surface have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy in secondary electron emission mode. The experimental results demonstrate that the domain, as well as domain walls, can be clearly revealed under the operation voltages ranging from 0.6 to 3 kV. Evolution of domain contrasts arising from electron-beam irradiation can be mainly explained by the pyroelectric effect and related charging process. A rich variety of microstructure features of ferroelectric domains can be clearly revealed in YMnO_3 by this high-resolution technique.