Observation Examples of Nonmetals
Ferroelectric (TGS) Cleavage Surface (1)
Fig. (a) Topographic Image
Fig. (b) Friction Image
A step pattern with a lattice constant of 1/2 was observed at the crystal cleavage surface of the ferroelectric tri-glycine sulfate (TGS).
It is known from existing research that ferroelectric friction image contrast reflects the spontaneous polarization orientation. Fig. (b) shows a friction image taken using lateral force (LFM). From this friction image, it is evident that the domain wall pattern and the step pattern are congruent.
(Courtesy of Associate Prof. Makoto Iwata, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology)