DOMAIN PATTERNS IN FERROIC CRYSTALS AND THIN FILMS
A.K..Tagantsev,
Ceramics Laboratory, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL)
Formation of domain patterns is a remarkable feature of ferroics. The experimental data on domain patterns in non-magnetic ferroelectric crystals collected for some 60 years has been motivating an extended theoretical activity in the field. As a result many experimental findings have been rationalized, but at the same time many puzzles have been left unsolved. The same applies to the domain patterns in ferroelectric thin films, the issue being under intensive investigation for the past 20 years.
This talk will attempt giving a big picture of domain patterns in non-magnetic ferroic crystals and thin films. The basic observations and theories will be addressed as well as the ability of the latter to help in understanding the former.