Allowed mesoscopic point group symmetries in domain average engineering of perovskite ferroelectric crystals

In multivariant systems, several energetically degenerate low temperature domain states can be produced at the structural phase transition. Coexistence of these domain states can produce mesoscopic structures that possess symmetries distinct from the microscopic single domain crystal symmetry. Such engineered domain structures in certain ferroelectric materials have been proven to give superior piezoelectric properties and extremely soft shear moduli. The objective of this article is to consider the variety of symmetries that can be produced through domain average engineering in proper ferroelectric systems arising from the cubic Pm (3) over barm symmetry perovskite structure. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.