Simulated mesoscopic structures of a domain wall in a ferroelastic lattice

Abstract:

A precise description of the twin domain wall in a ferroelastic lattice is presented. The bulk structure of the wall is described by the Landau-Ginzburg model, with and without the fourth order spatial derivative of the order parameter. The domain wall at the surface is seen as a rounded ridge, with the characteristic thickness of the ridge being the same as the thickness of the wall in the bulk. The elastic response of the surface close to the wall is rather exotic. We predict that the AFMTM images should show a narrow groove in the middle of the ridge with two hill-like features on either side of the groove. Consequences for the chemical activity of the surface for the sites close to the wall are discussed.