Lithium Niobate PFM Test Sample
This sample is designed to be used as a test for the Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PFM) imaging mode. Lithium niobate (LiNbO3) single-crystalline 500-μm-thick plate with roughness less than 10 nm cut normal to the polar axis. A regular domain structure with period D is created in the sample. The spontaneous polarisation has the opposite direction in the neighboring domains. The polarisation direction determines the sign of piezoelectric coefficient. Analysis of the local piezoelectric response during application of the modulation voltage reveals the domain pattern.
Key Features
Specification
- Sample size – 5×5 mm
- Sample thickness, h – 500 μm
- Period, D – 10 μm
- Dash length, L – 100 μm
- Fixed on a metal substrate by conductive epoxy
Quick Start Guide
The sample is fixed on the SPM holder and its bottom electrode is grounded. The measurements are held in contact mode. AC voltage with a frequency fmod is applied to SPM tip. The sample surface oscillates with the same frequency. This response is analyzed using the lock-in amplifier. The domain walls contrast can be obtained in the amplitude of the piezoresponse signal, and domain contrast – in the phase of the signal. The typical images obtained by PFM mode are shown in the product image gallery (figure 1)
Figure 1. The typical domain pattern obtained in the sample by PFM mode:
(a) amplitude
(b) phase of piezoresponse signal
(c) phase profile.
Image obtained by conductive tip NSG10/Pt.
AC voltage amplitude 7,5 V, fmod = 17 kHz.
