LAUSR

Abstract Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPbTiO3 (PMN-xPT) single crystals exhibit ultrahigh piezoelectric property and have already been applied in various industrial fields. Here, spatial distribution of coexistent phases and corresponding local piezoelectric responses in a morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) PMN-xPT single crystal are thoroughly investigated by confocal Raman spectroscopy coupled with piezo-response force microscopy (PFM). Different from previous studies on MPB crystals, spatial distribution of coexistent phases is exhibited intuitively in an image obtained by confocal Raman mapping. Via in-situ PFM measurements, domain morphology of each coexistent phase is observed. Moreover, local piezoelectric responses of each coexistent phase are obtained by switching spectroscopy PFM measurements, indicating that Ma and Mc phases behave like PNRs and polar matrix in PMN-xPT crystals Our work clarifies the contribution from different phases to the giant piezoelectric performance, which can deepen the understanding on the ultrahigh piezoelectricity in PMN-xPT crystals and provide the key point for developing novel high piezoelectricity materials.