Polarization-dependent local conductivity and activation energy in KTiOPO4.

We study the local conductivity properties of KTiOPO4 using conductive atomic force microscopy in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV). We show that domains with opposite orientations have different conductivity values. We investigate the temperature dependence of the local conductivity and report a difference in the activation energy of 25% between different domains. Furthermore, we show that the local conductivity increases with the number of biased-scans. Finally, it is found that the domain wall conductivity previously observed at ambient conditions vanishes in UHV. Our results are discussed in terms of the screening effects and surface conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]