Effect of electric field intensity on domain kinetics of Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–0.38PbTiO₃ single crystal

As one of the outstanding piezoelectric materials, relaxor-PbTiO₃ single crystal also exhibits promising electro-optic and nonlinear-optic properties. Therefore, it is vital to understand the domain switching kinetics not only for optimizing strain-mediated devices performance but also for fabricating optical waveguides and periodic domain structures in optical applications. In this work, domain switching kinetics in annealed and pre-poled PMN-0.38PT single crystal under different external electric field were studied. Polarization reversal can be accomplished only by c-domain nucleation and growth in the annealed sample where the formation of the ferroelastic domains is hindered. In pre-poled sample, 90° domain switching happened by 90° domain wall reorientation under low electric field while 180° domain switching is accomplished by two-step 90° domain switching and c-domain growth under high electric field. The results are important for modulating domain structure for strain mediated and optical devices.