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Ferroelectric domain structure has been formed under the action of electron beam scanning in congruent lithium niobate single crystal covered by surface dielectric layer. The obtained types of the domain patterns have been considered as subsequent stages of domain structure evolution. The dependence on irradiated charge density of domain density, length, and period of domain rays and stripe domain width was used for characterization of the domain structure evolution. The threshold irradiated charge density necessary for the formation of solid stripe domain has been revealed. All obtained results have been discussed in terms of kinetic approach based on the analogy between domain structure evolution and first-order phase transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase of the domain shape dimensionality from one-dimensional (1D) to two-dimensional (2D) representing creation of the magnetic bubbles by application of the uniform magnetic field to the stripe domain structure is a well-known effect used for the magnetic memory. The analogy between ferromagnetic and ferroelectric domains stimulates a search of a similar effect in ferroelectrics. Here, we present the discovered 1D to 2D transformation of the domain shape under the action of pyroelectric field appeared in lithium niobate crystal as a result of irradiation by IR laser pulses. The imaging at the surface reveals the transformation of the stripe domains appeared after the first pulse into the regular arrays of isolated circular domains after the second pulse, whereas the imaging in the bulk reveals the transformation of the comb-like domain to array of isolated conical domains. The process was considered in terms of the kinetic approach. The mechanism of the comb-like domain formation by continuous tooth generation during domain elongation is proposed. The 1D to 2D transformation is attributed to the domain splitting due to the backward motion of the charged domain wall. The proposed mechanisms are confirmed by computer simulation of the temporal dependence of the pyroelectric field excess over the threshold value. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]