Investigation of the ferroelastic domain structure in lead phosphate

Abstract

The ferroelastic domain pattern observed in Pb3(PO4)2 at room temperature is analysed in terms of twinning by pseudosymmetry. The characteristics of the three kinds of domains and the two types (W and W′) of walls are determined and agree with the experimental observations. The variation with temperature of the spontaneous strain is deduced from the investigation of the orientation of W′ walls.