D. Bosbach et al., AN AFM STUDY ON FERROELASTIC DOMAINS IN LEAD PHOSPHATE, PB-3(PO4)(2), Journal of physics. Condensed matter, 9(40), 1997, pp. 8397-8405
The topography of the intersection of ferroelastic W domain walls with
(100) surfaces of lead phosphate, Pb-3(PO4)(2), has been imaged with
tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TMAFM). Spontaneous deformation
of the ferrophase leads to a cleavage plane which forms a zig-zag prof
ile along W domain walls. The predicted angle of 178.55 degrees betwee
n two adjacent domains on a (100) surface is confirmed by TMAFM observ
ations. Surface deformation has no influence on this angle due to the
dominance of the long-range spontaneous strain. Furthermore, W domains
end as needle-like structures and TMAFM observations show that there
is no detectable change in the local surface deformation in the vicini
ty of these needle tips.