Estimation of Domain Size in Nano Ferroelectrics from NMR T1 Measurements

TL;DR

This paper presents a general method to estimate the size of nano-scale ferroelectric domains using NMR T1 relaxation measurements, based on spin diffusion and relaxation near domain walls.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach linking spin lattice relaxation time T1 to domain width in nano ferroelectrics, applicable to order-disorder ferroelectric materials with I=3/2 nuclei.

Findings

Derived an expression for T1 in terms of domain width and transition probabilities.

Showed that domain width can be estimated from T1 measurements.

Applicable to nano-sized domains in order-disorder ferroelectrics.

Abstract

The spin lattice relaxation of I=3/2 quadrupolar spin system due to domain walls in order-disorder ferroelectrics has been studied and a general method is proposed for the measurement of domain width in nano ferroelectrics. Based on the fact that electric polarization undergoes spiral orientation as one moves from one domain to the other, it is assumed that at low temperatures the spins at and near domain walls undergo relaxation due to possible easy reorientation of electric polarization in domain walls even though such a relaxation in the main body of the domain has almost ceased. The spins present inside the domain undergo relaxation through transfer of magnetization to the domain walls through a spin diffusion process by nearest neighbour interaction. Rate equations for spin populations are formed by representing the ferroelectric domain by a one-dimensional chain of equidistant spins having dipolar coupling. Spin populations are calculated as a function of time for different ratios of quadrupolar to dipolar transition probabilities for a sample subjected to selective rf pulse. Expression for spin- lattice relaxation time T1 is derived in terms of domain width and ratio of quadrupolar to dipolar transition probabilities. It is found that the domain width can be estimated provided the value of spin lattice relaxation time T1 is known for the corresponding crystal with normal sized grains. The results are quite general and can be applied to any order disorder ferroelectric with nano sized domains and having spin I=3/2 nuclei.