Temperature dynamics of triglycine sulfate domain structure according to atomic force microscopy and dielectric spectroscopy data

A hydrogen-containing ferroelectric triglycine sulfate (TGS) was comprehensively studied with an atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dielectric spectroscopy. The domain structure dynamics was in situ investigated with piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) during heating and cooling the TGS crystal near phase transition. Relaxation dependencies of domain boundaries general perimeter and domain dimensions were obtained. TGS dielectric spectra measured at the frequency range from 10 to 10¹¹ Hz were analyzed on basis of significant contribution of conductivity into the dielectric response of ferroelectrics and a good agreement with the experimental data was received. It allows us to obtain more information about temperature dynamics of the domain structure.     

Criterion for identification of ferroelectric domains in TGS crystals from AFM images

Criteria for identification of actual (dynamic) domains and morphologically similar domain “memory” regions are proposed based on the study of various types of contrast of topographic atomic-force microscopy images of lenslike regions on the polar surface of TGS crystals. Inaccuracy in identification may result in further errors in estimating the parameters of the domain structure. The images of ferroelectric domains in the spreading-resistance mode that indicate directly the presence of conductive properties of the domain walls have been obtained for the first time.     

Study of the surface heterogeneity of topographic and electric nature by atomic force microscopy by the example of triglycine sulfate

Triglycine sulfate crystals with an ideal (010) cleavage plane are used as model objects to reveal problems in interpreting atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of surfaces with nonuniform charge distribution. Specific microrelief features of two types are found: lenslike formations with different contrast and rounded protrusions/valleys of different size but fixed height. An analysis of their evolution with a change in temperature and under an electric field and mechanical impacts has made it possible to separate relief elements from the crystal domain structure. The interpretation proposed is confirmed by the multimode AFM data. The specific features of the images of dynamic domains and aged domains (which cannot undergo polarization reversal) are studied. The domain-wall width found in the AFM measurements depends on the technique used and the specificity of probe-surface interaction; it varies from 9 to 2000 nm. The most reliable data on the domain-wall width in triglycine sulfate crystals are provided by piezoelectric force microscopy, according to which the wall width does not exceed 30 nm.     

Atomic force microscopy of the mirror cleavage surface of defect TGS crystals

The nanorelief of the mirror cleavage surface of triglycine sulfate crystals with various defect densities has been studied. Typical nanorelief features of both defect and clean (without artificial impurity) crystals are two-dimensional rounded bumps (dips) of equal height (depth) of about half the lattice parameter and sub-micrometer lateral sizes. The density, lateral size, and scatter of such 2D structures are several times larger for defect crystals than for clean ones. The correlation between the crystal defect density and the density and lateral size of 2D structures on the cleavage surface has been revealed. Conclusions are made about the defect origin of the typical nanorelief on the mirror cleavage.     

Particular artifacts of topographic images of dielectrics in atomic-force microscopy

Particular artifacts of atomic-force microscopy (AFM) images of dielectrics, which are related to the presence of a static charge on the surface, are described. Artificial climate control with the use of a TRACKPORE ROOM-02 climatic box during measurements makes it possible to remove the static charge, owing to which the quality of AFM images and reliability of measured metric surface characteristics increase. Comparative analysis of the surface roughness measured under conventional conditions of microscope operation (static charge is present on a dielectric surface) and under the conditions of controlled artificial climate (static charge is completely removed) is performed. It is established that, in the presence of a static charge on the surface, roughness measurements may yield both overestimated and underestimated values; the largest increase in error is observed in measurements of micro-and nanosized surface areas.     

Application of the Fourier transforms for analysis of the domain structure images of uniaxial ferroelectric

The formation of ferroelectric domains in triglycine sulfate crystal in the para–ferroelectric phase transition has been investigated in situ by piezoresponse force microscopy. The domain structure has been analyzed using the images of Fourier transforms of the scanned (010) surface of natural cleavage. The formation of a quasi-periodic one-dimensional structure of 180° domains with dominant components of one sign below T _C near the transition point is revealed and crystallographic reference to the laboratory coordinate system is performed.     

Structure of the polar (010) cleavage of a ferroelectric TGS crystal from the atomic-force microscopy data

The atomically smooth polar (010) cleavage of a ferroelectric triglycine sulfate (TGS) crystal has been studied by the method of atomic-force microscopy. It is shown that the rounded 0.6-nm-high (deep) protrusions and pits with nanometer lateral dimensions revealed on the surfaces of TGS crystals are characteristic of their microrelief. These microrelief details can be formed either as a result of crystal cleavage in the ferroelectric phase or the mechanical action of a cantilever onto the crystal surface. These two-dimensional formations are relatively stable and genetically related to the layer structure of the ferroelectric phase of TGS crystals.     

Peculiarities of the Dielectric Spectra of Triglycine Sulfate Crystals with a Profile Distribution of Chromium

Crystallography Reports - The temperature evolution of the dielectric spectra of TGS–TGS + Cr crystals (TGS stands for triglycine sulfate) with a periodic distribution of chromium impurity...     

Domain structure and properties of triglycine sulfate crystals with profile <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-α- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-α-alanine-doped layers

A complex investigation of the domain structure and dielectric properties of triglycine sulfate (TGS) crystals containing profile layers doped with D,L-α-alanine (DLATGS) and L-α-alanine (LATGS) impurities is carried out. The images of the DLATGS and LATGS layers and ferroelectric domains are obtained by piezoelectric force microscopy; the parameters of the domain structure and the degree of unipolarity are determined. It is established that DLATGS layers are multidomain and LATGS stripes are mainly single-domain. The experimental data on the macroscopic dielectric properties of the crystals are compared with the results of a microscopic analysis of the domain structure.     

AFM investigation of the mechanism for microwave effect on ferroelectric triglycine sulfate

Relation between the microwave effect on ferroelectric triglycine sulfate and the crystal structure dynamics is studied within the concept of ferroactive medium evolution. It is shown that the effect is most distinct in defect-free samples and correlates with the domain structure dynamics. Domain walls are considered to be responsible for structure-sensitive characteristics of triglycine sulfate.