High-Symmetry Polarization Domains in Low-Symmetry Ferroelectrics

TL;DR

This paper provides experimental evidence of hexagonal domain faceting in low-symmetry ferroelectric PVDF-TrFE films, highlighting electrostatic forces' role in domain shape formation and symmetry preferences.

Contribution

It demonstrates the occurrence of hexagonal domain faceting in orthorhombic ferroelectric films and explains the influence of dielectric properties on domain shape symmetry.

Findings

Hexagonal domain faceting observed in PVDF-TrFE films.

Electrostatic depolarizing forces influence domain shape.

High dielectric constant favors symmetrical domain shapes.

Abstract

We present experimental evidence for hexagonal domain faceting in the ferroelectric polymer PVDF-TrFE films having the lower orthorhombic crystallographic symmetry. This effect can arise from purely electrostatic depolarizing forces. We show that in contrast to magnetic bubble shape domains where such type of deformation instability has a predominantly elliptical character, the emergence of more symmetrical circular harmonics is favored in ferroelectrics with high dielectric constant.