Domain structures in tetragonal Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 single crystals studied by piezoresponse force microscopy

The domain structures in (001) surface of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–40% PbTiO3 single crystals were investigated by piezoresponse force microscopy. Both micron-sized fingerprint 180° and parallel 90° domains were observed in the sample. Different sets of favourable {110} oriented domain patterns were found to meet, intersect or grow through each other. In addition, the piezoelectricity decreases sharply at the domain walls in 180° structures, but does not in the 90° domain structures.