Indentation induced mechanical and electrical response in ferroelectric crystal investigated by acoustic mode AFM

The mechanical and electrical response of Pb (Mg1/3Nb2/3)‐ O3–PbTiO3 single crystals to micro‐indentation are investigated using the newly developed low frequency scanning probe acoustic microscopy which is based on the atomic force microscope. There are three ways to release the stress produced by indentation. Plastic deformation emerged directly underneath the indentor and along the indentation diagonals. In addition, indentation‐induced micro‐cracks and new non‐180° domain structures which are perpendicular to each other are also observed in the indented surface. Based on the experimental results, the relationship between the cracks and the domain patterns was discussed. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)