Fast and Superfast Motion of Ferroelectric Domain Boundaries

Abstract

We present the review of our systematic investigation of the propagation of domain walls/boundaries in wide velocity range in uniaxial ferroelectrics with optically distinguished domains, such as lead germanate Pb5Ge3O11, congruent and stoichiometric lithium tantalate LiTaO3 and lithium niobate LiNbO3. In situ optical observation of domain kinetics was widely used. Three different regimes of boundary propagation have been revealed and investigated in details. It was shown that except of conventional “slow” sideways domain wall motion “fast” and “superfast” domain growth regimes through formation of complicated self-maintained domain boundaries could be obtained. The crucial role of the retardation of screening/compensation of depolarization field has been pointed out. It was demonstrated that realization of proper regime is determined by the ratio of switching rate to bulk screening one. Computer simulation has been applied for verification of proposed approach.