Area fraction quantification of ferroelectric domain orientations in BaTiO3 using piezoresponse force microscopy

Understanding the domain structure of ferroelectric ceramics is very important to develop sound knowledge of the influence of the microstructure on the macroscopic properties. To proceed in this direction, experimental tools are necessary in order to quantify the domain patterns in ferroelectrics. This study on BaTiO3 single crystals exemplifies how vector piezoresponse force microscopy can be used to obtain statistical information about domain directions.