Domain-related problems of ferroelectric ceramics

Ferroelectric ceramics represent the widest application area of ferroelectric materials, for their electromechanical, dielectric and optical properties. In all cases domain-related aspects play a decisive role, whether positive or negative. Despite effective research efforts numerous essential problems remain unsolved. Here first an overview of them is shortly specified, related to static and dynamic aspects of domain systems in ceramic samples. Two issues are then addressed in more detail: the potential role of the "soft" energy in the poling process and the possibility to depole a ceramic sample in different ways, leading to domain symmetries of different macroscopic properties. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.1. All rights reserved.