Dynamic behavior of domain-related topography and surface potential on theBaTiO3 (100) surface by variable temperature scanning surface potential microscopy

Variable temperature atomic force microscopy and scanning surface potential microscopy are used to characterize the ferroelectric/paraelectric phase t ransition at a BaTiO3 (100) surface. The influence of domain structure on s urface topography and surface potential are used to identify 90 degrees and 180 degrees domain boundaries. The dynamic response of surface potential t o the temperature-induced variations of spontaneous polarization can distin guish polarization charge and compensation charge at the surface. Domain in duced surface corrugations disappear above the Curie temperature confirming the local phase transition. Associated variations of surface potential are quantified. The relaxation kinetics of surface potential after the transit ion to paraelectric state on heating and during the transition to the ferro electric state on cooling are several orders of magnitude slower that those of the phase transition itself, and are related to the redistribution of c ompensation charge.