Hierarchical domains in Na_(1/2)Bi_(1/2)TiO_3 single crystals: Ferroelectric phase transformations within the geometrical restrictions of a ferroelastic inheritance

摘要

We have found unique hierarchical domains in Na_(1/2)Bi_(1/2)TiO_3 single crystals. A tetragonal ferroelastic domain structure is unchanged on cooling from 520 to 25 ℃. Polar microdomains then nucleated on cooling in the rhombohedral ferroelectric phase within the geometrical restrictions imposed by the inherited ferroelastic domains.