Acoustic Scanning Probe Microscopy: An Overview

Abstract

In this chapter, which serves as an introduction to the entire book, an overview is given of techniques resulting from the synergy between ultrasonic methods and scanning probe microscopy (SPM). Although other acoustic SPMs have been developed, those reviewed in this book are either the earliest proposed techniques, which are most widespread, extensively used, and continuously improved, or have been recently developed, but have been proved to be extremely promising. The techniques are briefly introduced, emphasizing what they have in common, their differences, their capabilities, and limitations.

Intrinsic Mechanical Compliance of 90° Domain Walls in PbTiO3

“…Moreover, the lattice spontaneous polarization is rotated at the domain wall, resulting in a smaller average polarization and stiffening at the domain wall compared to the domains. [ 24,25 ] However, those studies only reported the mechanical softening of 180 o domain walls compared to their surrounding domains. Thus, more comprehensive studies that focus on the behavior of 90 o domain walls compared to their surrounding domains are still needed as well as the use of different AFM modes to access the intrinsic mechanical properties to investigate the big picture of the mechanical properties of the ferroelectric PTO single crystal.…”