Effect of surface disorder on the domain structure of PLZT ceramics

ABSTRACTPb1-xLax(Zr0.65Ti0.35)1-x/4O3 (PLZT x/65/35) ceramics were studied by Piezoresponse Force Microscopy in order to understand the origin of domain structure as a function of La content. We show that the domain topology is mainly determined by the composition and grain size. The characteristic correlation length decreases with increasing La content, being sensitive also to the synthesis method. The behavior of the correlation length is linked to the macroscopic properties, showing a strong increase of disorder with La doping. The roughness exponent for the domain wall in PLZT 9/65/35 is close to 2/3 indicating 1D character of domain walls in relaxors.