In-Operando Study of Ferroelectric Domains Using Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging*

Strain can greatly effect a materials properties, especially in ferroelectrics. Using in-operando x-ray Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging (BCDI), we can investigate the strain field in materials in response to real time stimuli. With continued improvements in coherence from next generation light sources and advanced phase retrieval algorithms, BCDI allows for full volume visualization of the electron density distributions and displacement fields in nanoparticles with nanometer resolution. Using this technique, we have identified 3D vortex structures within ferroelectric BaTiO₃ nanoparticles and studied their evolution under applied electrical fields [1]. Currently we are extending BCDI to probe other classes of functional materials with unusual ferroelectric polarization structures. We hope this research will provide insight into domain structure control and switching in ferroelectric nanomaterials, with potentially promising applications in next generation electronic devices.