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arXiv · 1008.2861

Imaging ferroelectric domains in multiferroics using a low-energy electron microscope in the mirror operation mode

Salia Cherifi·Riccardo Hertel·Stéphane Fusil·Hélène Béa·Karim Bouzehouane·Julie Allibe·Manuel Bibes·Agnès Barthélémy
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Abstract

We report on low-energy electron microscopy imaging of ferroelectric domains with submicron resolution. Periodic strips of 'up' and 'down'-polarized ferroelectric domains in bismuth ferrite -a room temperature multiferroic- serve as a model system to compare low-energy electron microscopy with the established piezoresponse force microscopy. The results confirm the possibility of full-field imaging of ferroelectric domains with short acquisition times by exploiting the sensitivity of ultraslow electrons to small variations of the electric potential near surfaces in the "mirror" operation mode.

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Salia Cherifi, Riccardo Hertel, Stéphane Fusil, Hélène Béa, Karim Bouzehouane, Julie Allibe, Manuel Bibes, Agnès Barthélémy. 2010-08-17. Imaging ferroelectric domains in multiferroics using a low-energy electron microscope in the mirror operation mode. https://doi.org/10.1002/pssr.200903297

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