Domain engineered switchable strain states in ferroelectric (011) [Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3](1−x)-[PbTiO3]x (PMN-PT, x≈0.32) single crystals

The ferroelectric properties of (011) [Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3](1−x)-[PbTiO3]x (PMN-PT, x≈0.32) single crystals with focus on piezoelectric strain response were reported. Two giant reversible and stable remanent strain states and tunable remanent strain properties are achieved by properly reversing the electric field from the depolarized direction. The unique piezoelectric strain response, especially along the [100] direction, mainly stems from the non-180° ferroelectric polarization reorientation in the rhombohedral phase crystal structure. Such giant strain hysteresis with tunable remanent strain properties may be useful for magnetoelectric based memory devices as well as a potential candidate for other applications.