Domain structure evolution during polarization reversal in calcium orthovanadate single crystals

The domain structure evolution under the action of the series of rectangular electric field pulses at the elevated temperature has been studied by in situ optical imaging in calcium orthovanadate single crystal with an as-grown domain structure. In contrast to the usual continuous domain wall motion, the arising of domains with immovable walls at the surface as a result of ledge growth from the charged domain wall (CDW) was obtained. The imaging of the static domain structure at the polar surface allowed for determining the correlation between positions of the domains and CDWs. The switching after termination of the external field was observed.