Ferroelectric domain phenomena and microdomain engineering in BaMgF4 single crystal

Ferroelectric domain phenomena and periodic domain patterning of orthorhombic as-grown BaMgF4 single crystal were investigated in the present study. An isolated ferroelectric domain shows a hexagonal form and exhibits a high domain-wall anisotropy. Periodic domain patterning was demonstrated on the polar surface by a periodic macropoling technique. In-plane polarization switching-induced microdomain patterning was tailored by the lateral component of the inhomogeneous electric field through a biased atomic force microscope tip. Such in-plane domain switching behavior exhibits potential promise for periodic domain engineered phonon devices.