Surface micro structuring of ferroelectric domains in PbNb2O6 single crystal

Abstract

Surface micro-structuring of a ferroelectric material is such a startling process in which the artificial development of domain- defect-field interactions is achieved to obtain the desired results in device applications. Present microscopic study is an attempt to stipulate the domain distributions is whether dislocation dependent, impurity dipole dependent or the predominant interaction of both these imperfections are involved in ferroelectric lead meta niobate (PbNb2O6) single crystal. Microscopic study of interactions between domains and present defects with response to externally applied electric field has been carried out first time for PbNb2O6 crystal, so as to achieve the surface micro structuring of domains in the requisite manner for device applications using this peculiar material. The ferroelectric PbNb2O6   single crystals were grown by using flux technique and its polarization surfaces were studied under reflection microscope. The nature, alignment, movements and character of dislocations, dipolar impurities, their mutual interactions with respect to externally applied electric field have been discussed with micrographic evidences in this ferroelectric single crystal. The pragmatic results and conclusions of this paper are  constructive for emergent the high aspect ratio domain surfaces by micro structuring of domains, necessary to produce optical waveguides in crystal for designing the ridge waveguide photonic circuits.