Study of ferroelectric domain morphology in PMN–32% PT single crystals

PMN–32% PT relaxor ferroelectric crystals were prepared by Bridgman–ACRT method. Specimens cut in certain direction and from various areas in crystals were ground and polished with carborundum manually. The polished surfaces of specimens were etched by aqua fortis. Subsequently, the ferroelectric domain morphologies at the specimen surfaces were investigated by both optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The results indicated that, besides the normal band configuration well known, the ferroelectric domain in PMN–32% PT crystal usually shows abnormal watermark morphology.