Electrode enhanced pyroelectric domain reversals in ferroelectric crystals

In case crystal plates of pyroelectric LiNbO/sub 3/ (LN) as well as of LiTaO/sub 3/ (LT) are inclined related to the crystallographic c-axis they exhibit charge differences within the surface on temperature changes. Metallizations on the same surface equalize the electrical tensions beneath the metal and enhance them between two adjacent metallizations on contrary. The enhancement depends on metal extension parallel to the c-axis (pyro axis) and on the magnitude of a rapid temperature change. Parallel metallic stripes on the surface and a temperature treatment between 20/spl deg/C and approx. 50/spl deg/C enhance a generation of stripe shaped inverted domains. Secondary effects diminish the pyroelectric tension on electrode edges at slow rates of temperature change. If the c-axis is inclined to, e.g., the right the left edge of metal exhibits the enhanced tensions which are strong enough to reverse the domain.