Laser floating zone growth of improper geometric ferroelectric GdInO3 single crystals with Z6 topological defects

Abstract

We report the first single crystal growth of GdInO₃ using a laser floating zone furnace. The crystals were studied using single crystal/powder X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility, piezoresponse force microscopy, and polarization switching techniques. The successful growth of single crystal GdInO₃ will (i) promote deep understanding of this material, including the mechanism of geometric ferroelectricity and the Z₆ vortex topological defect domain structures, and (ii) provide rich opportunities as a substrate for thin film growth, for example, for important ferroelectric and/or multiferroic materials.