Twin-coupled multi-oriented domain structures in epitaxial (20%Zr) films grown

onto a (001) MgO substrate using pulsed-laser deposition was studied.

Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the film consisted of an epitaxial

layer of pseudo-cubic perovskite structure and a nanopillar layer of multi-oriented

twin domain structures near to the surface. Four types of twin domain were formed

in the nanopillar layers by coherently joining their {111} with the epilayer and

aligning their <110> directions parallel to the <110> axes of the epilayer. A nonuniform

polarization switching behavior was observed due to the formation of such

complex structures in the films.

Twin-Coupled Domain Structures in Epitaxial Relaxor Ferroelectric Ba(Zr,Ti)O3

Thin Films on (001) MgO Substrate. J.He, J.C.Jiang, E.I.Meletis, J.Liu, G.Collins,

C.L.Chen, A.Bhalla: Philosophical Magazine Letters, 2009, 89[8], 493-503