One-dimensional regular arrays of antiphase domain boundaries in anti-ferroelectric tin-substituted lead zirconate titanate (PZT) Ceramics

The existence of one-dimensional regular arrays of antiphase domain boundaries has been confirmed in tin-substituted PZT ferroelectrics of ABO₃ perovskite structure (Pb_0.99{(Zr_1–y Sn _y )_1–x Ti _x ]_0.98Nb_0.02}O₃,x=0.03 and 0.04,y=0.20) by means of electron diffraction and lattice imaging. Calculation has been made of the number of satellite spots in the diffraction patterns and their positions determined. They coincide well with the electron diffraction patterns experimentally obtained. The finding proves the relative elongation in one dimension of the ferroelectric unit cell caused by a parallel array of electrical dipoles, as compared to the cell of an anti-parallel array of dipoles.