Low‐Temperature Observation of Relaxor Ferroelectric Domains in Lead Zinc Niobate

Domain reorientation in single crystals of lead zinc niobatelead titanate solid solutions was examined, because the reorientation contributes to the electrically controlled change of shape and change of response in piezoelectric transducers and actuators. An optical microscope technique was used to explore the buildup of macropolar domains from micropolar regions in relaxor compositions. Poorly defined “ambiguous” spindlelike domains changed to distinct lamellar domains as PbTiO₃ content was increased. The domain walls in Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃‐rich samples moved with a wavelike motion. The motion ceased or “froze‐in” below –130° and –30°C for field‐biased and nonbiased samples, respectively. The domains were observed at various temperatures from 300° to –185°C and electric fields up to ±10kV/cm.