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Phenomenological theory of a single domain wall in uniaxial trigonal ferroelectrics: lithium niobate and lithium tantalate

David A Scrymgeour·Venkatraman Gopalan·Amit Itagi·Avadh Saxena·Pieter J Swart
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Abstract

A phenomenological treatment of domain walls based on the Ginzburg-Landau-Devonshire theory is developed for uniaxial, trigonal ferroelectrics lithium niobate and lithium tantalate. The contributions to the domain wall energy from polarization and strain as a function of orientation are considered. Analytical expressions are developed which are analyzed numerically to determine the minimum polarization, strain, and energy configurations of domain walls. It is found that hexagonal y-walls are preferred over x-walls in both materials. This agrees well with experimental observation of domain geometries in stoichiometric composition crystals.

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David A Scrymgeour, Venkatraman Gopalan, Amit Itagi, Avadh Saxena, Pieter J Swart. 2005-05-18. Phenomenological theory of a single domain wall in uniaxial trigonal ferroelectrics: lithium niobate and lithium tantalate. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.71.184110

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