High-temperature memory in multiferroic cobalt–bromine boracite

The observation of the domain dynamics of the ferroelectric–ferroelastic domains near the paraelectric–ferroelectric phase transition is reported. The study was performed by means of high-temperature polarized light microscopy. Close to the phase transition an increase in the number of domain walls was observed. After several heating–cooling cycles around the transition temperature, a memory domain microstructure at high temperature was observed. The possible physical mechanisms responsible for the high-temperature domain dynamics are discussed. Using a complex systems approach the complexity of the domain behavior is characterized.