Direct observation of ferroelectric domain structures in LiTa${\mathrm{O}}_3$ crystal, without etching or surface coating, has been realized by using environmental scanning electron microscopy in secondary electron emission mode. The new method can nondestructively provide domain contrast image at submicron resolution, and the domain contrast image is very stable. Conditions for best domain contrast of LiTa${\mathrm{O}}_3$ crystals have been established.

• Received 31 March 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.79.2558