Cooling-rate-dependent domain structures of PMN-PT single crystals observed by contact resonance piezoresponse force microscopy

The domain structures of PMN-0.32PT single crystals were observed at the same area at room temperature after 240/spl deg/C thermal treatment with various cooling rate. Contact resonance piezoresponse force microscopy was utilized for observing domain structures in order to obtain microdomain images nondestructively. The average domain size decreased as cooling rate increased. The dielectric properties in ferroelectric phase was also influenced the cooling rate. If peak temperature of thermal treatment was higher than 135/spl deg/C, the dielectric constant in ferroelectric phase decreased as cooling rate increased.