Formation of dendrite domain structures in stoichiometric lithium niobate at elevated temperatures

Formation of the dendrite-type self-organized domain structures during polarization reversal at elevated temperatures (above 230 degrees C) has been revealed and studied in stoichiometric lithium niobate LiNbO3 single crystals. Optical, confocal Raman, scanning electron, and piezoelectric force microscopy have been used for domain visualization. It has been shown experimentally that formation of the dendrite-like structures has been attributed to correlated nucleation caused by a field distribution in the vicinity of the charged domain walls. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4766308]