Imaging ferroelectric domains in multiferroics using a low-energy electron microscope in the mirror operation mode

We report on low-energy electron microscopy imaging of ferroelectric domains with submicron resolution. Periodic strips of 'up' and 'down'-polarized ferroelectric domains in bismuth ferrite - a room temperature multiferroic - serve as a model system to compare low-energy electron microscopy with the established piezoresponse force microscopy. The results confirm the possibility of full-field imaging of ferroelectric domains with short acquisition times by exploiting the sensitivity of ultraslow electrons to small variations of the electric potential near surfaces in the "mirror" operation mode.[GRAPHICS](C) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinhei