Observation of short-lived local polar states induced by applied tip biases in BaTiO₃-based relaxor ferroelectric ceramics

Using piezoresponse force microscopy imaging and spectroscopy methods, surface polar states induced by applied tip biases in the ergodic/paraelectric phase of a BaTiO₃-based relaxor ferroelectric ceramic have been observed. The induced polar state appears to be short-lived (typical lifetime only a few seconds) and dependent on the voltages applied and their duration. The observed piezoresponse hysteresis and relaxation behavior is primarily interpreted with respect to the picture of the polar nano-region dynamics, as proposed for lead-based relaxors. Spatially resolved piezoresponse relaxation mapping reveals the presence of sub-micron correlated features, presumably due to A-site chemical inhomogeneity as supported by site-correlated elemental mapping microanalysis.