Single domain vs. polydomain [111] 0.72Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.28PbTiO3 single crystal. Polarization switching, dielectric and pyroelectric properties

We introduce a poling treatment to induce a single domain structure in [111] single crystals of 0.72Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.28PbTiO3 (PMN-PT). The properties obtained differ from those known for domain-engineered [111] PMN-PT single crystals. The dielectric, ferroelectric, and pyroelectric properties of this single domain structure are assessed in comparison to polydomain single crystals that were poled by conventional poling treatment. The attributes of the single domain state are a single switching event that reflects in a discontinuity of polarization at the coercive field, a substantially lower dielectric loss (than the multidomain state), and a higher detectivity for pyroelectric applications.