Electron back scattering study of domain structure in monoclinic phase of a rare-earth orthoniobate LaNbO4

The recently developed SEM electron back scattering technique was employed to examine the domain structure in the monoclinic phase of a rare-earth orthoniobate LaNbO₄. The monoclinic phase was identified by X-ray diffraction. The existence of the domain structure was revealed by the electron back scattering pattern, optical microscope and TEM. The orientation relationship between domains was determined by the electron back scattering technique as a rotation of 94° about the [010] axis. This result was confirmed by TEM diffraction and mathematical relations between domain orientations were established.