Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. Scanning probe apparatus, comprising: a tip-electrode which is coupled to be held at a substantially ground potential;  a counter-electrode which is positioned in proximity to the tip-electrode;  a voltage source, coupled to maintain the counter-electrode at a non-ground potential; and  positioning-instrumentation, which is adapted to maintain the tip-electrode at a suitable position relative to a surface of a ferroelectric sample located in a space between the tip-electrode and the counter-electrode so as to generate an electric field in the ferroelectric sample greater than a coercive field thereof. 2. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , and comprising scanning-instrumentation which is adapted to induce the tip-electrode and the ferroelectric sample to wove relative to each other, so that the tip-electrode scans across the surface of the sample. claim 1 3. Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the scanning-instrumentation is adapted to induce relative motion between the tip-electrode and the ferroelectric sample at a suitable velocity to produce a stable domain-engineered structure (DES) having a substantially invariant cross-section throughout the ferroelectric sample. claim 2 4. Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the DES comprises a one-dimensional DES. claim 3 5. Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the DES comprises a two-dimensional DES. claim 3 6. Scanning probe apparatus, comprising: a tip-electrode which is coupled to be held at a substantially ground potential;  a counter-electrode which is positioned in proximity to the tip-electrode;  a voltage source, coupled to maintain the counter-electrode at a non-ground potential; and  positioning-instrumentation, which is adapted to maintain the tip-electrode at a suitable position relative to a surface of a ferroelectric sample located in a space between the tip-electrode and the counter-electrode so as to generate an electric field in the ferroelectric sample greater than a coercive field thereof, comprising scanning-instrumentation which is adapted to induce the tip-electrode and the ferroelectric sample to move relative to each other, so that the tip-electrode scans across the surface of the sample, wherein the scanning-instrumentation is adapted to induce relative motion between the tip-electrode and the ferroelectric sample at a suitable velocity to produce a stable domain-engineered structure (DES) having a substantially invariant cross-section throughout the ferroelectric sample,  wherein the suitable velocity comprises a critical relative velocity having a magnitude V crit  approximately equal to  xe2x80x83wherein R is a domain nuclear radius produced by the electric field and xcfx84 sw  is a switching time for reversal of a polarization of the ferroelectric sample. 7. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the voltage source is adapted to maintain the non-ground potential at a value U Rmin  approximately equal to or greater than a product of the coercive field and a thickness of the ferroelectric sample. claim 1 8. Apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the voltage source is adapted to pulse the non-ground potential for a pre-determined period xcfx84 dur  so as to produce a stable DES having a substantially invariant cross-section throughout the ferroelectric sample. claim 7 9. Apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the DES comprises a one-dimensional DES. claim 8 10. Apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the DES comprises a two-dimensional DES. claim 8 11. Scanning probe apparatus, comprising: a tip-electrode which is coupled to be held at a substantially ground potential;  a counter-electrode which is positioned in proximity to the tip-electrode;  a voltage source, coupled to maintain the counter-electrode at a non-ground potential; and  positioning-instrumentation, which is adapted to maintain the tip-electrode at a suitable position relative to a surface of a ferroelectric sample located in a space between the tip-electrode and the counter-electrode so as to generate an electric field in the ferroelectric sample greater than a coercive field thereof, wherein the voltage source is adapted to maintain the non-ground potential at a value U Rmin  approximately equal to or greater than a product of the coercive field and a thickness of the ferroelectric sample, wherein the voltage source is adapted to pulse the non-ground potential for a pre-determined period xcfx84 dur  so as to produce a stable DES having a substantially invariant cross-section throughout the ferroelectric sample,  wherein the pre-determined period xcfx84 dur  is greater than a switching time xcfx84 sw  for reversal of a polarization of the ferroelectric sample and is less than a dielectric relaxation time xcfx84 rel  of the ferroelectric sample. 12. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , and comprising an insulating holder which is adapted to hold the ferroelectric sample and to electrically insulate the counter-electrode. claim 1 13. Scanning probe apparatus, comprising: a tip-electrode which is coupled to be held at a substantially ground potential;  a counter-electrode which is positioned in proximity to the tip-electrode;  a voltage source, coupled to maintain the counter-electrode at a non-ground potential; and  positioning-instrumentation, which is adapted to maintain the tip-electrode at a suitable position relative to a surface of a ferroelectric sample located in a space between the tip-electrode and the counter-electrode so as to generate an electric field in the ferroelectric sample greater than a coercive field thereof, and comprising an insulating holder which is adapted to hold the ferroelectric sample and to electrically insulate the counter-electrode,  wherein the insulating holder comprises a heater which is adapted to maintain a temperature of the ferroelectric sample above an ambient temperature of the apparatus. 14. Scanning probe apparatus, comprising: a tip-electrode which is coupled to be held at a substantially ground potential;  a counter-electrode which is positioned in proximity to the tip-electrode;  a voltage source, coupled to maintain the counter-electrode at a non-ground potential; and  positioning-instrumentation, which is adapted to maintain the tip-electrode at a suitable position relative to a surface of a ferroelectric sample located in a space between the tip-electrode and the counter-electrode so as to generate an electric field in the ferroelectric sample greater than a coercive field thereof, and comprising an insulating holder which is adapted to hold the ferroelectric sample and to electrically insulate the counter-electrode,  wherein the insulating holder comprises a cooler which is adapted to maintain a temperature of the ferroelectric sample below an ambient temperature of the apparatus. 15. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the tip-electrode terminates in two or more separate sharp points, and wherein the electric field comprises substantially similar respective electric fields generated by each point. claim 1 16. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the tip-electrode terminates in a multi-dimensional surface. claim 1 17. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the tip-electrode terminates in a single sharp point. claim 1 18. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , and wherein the voltage source is adapted to generate a sufficient potential so as to form one or more stable domains in the ferroelectric sample. claim 1 19. Apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the one or more stable domains comprise a one-dimensional DES having a substantially invariant cross-section throughout the sample. claim 18 20. Apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the one or more stable domains comprise a two-dimensional DES having a substantially invariant cross-section throughout the sample. claim 18 21. Apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the ferroelectric sample comprises an optical waveguide. claim 18 22. Apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the one or more stable domains comprise a periodic DES. claim 18 23. Apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the one or more stable domains comprise an periodic DES. claim 18 24. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the ferroelectric sample comprises an existing DES, and wherein the voltage source is adapted to apply a potential so as to erase at least a part of the existing DES. claim 1 25. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the positioning-instrumentation is adapted to maintain the position of the tip-electrode to be substantially in contact with the surface of the ferroelectric sample. claim 1 26. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , and wherein the tip-electrode, the counter-electrode, the voltage source, and the positioning-instrumentation are adapted to be operative as a scanning force microscope which reads the ferroelectric sample. claim 1 27. Scanning probe apparatus, comprising: a tip-electrode which is coupled to be maintained at a first potential;  a counter-electrode which is positioned in proximity to the tip-electrode and which is coupled to be maintained at a second potential differing from the first potential; and  scanning-instrumentation, which is adapted to induce relative motion between the tip-electrode and a ferroelectric sample located in a space between the tip-electrode and the counter-electrode at a suitable velocity to produce a stable domain-engineered structure (DES) having a substantially invariant cross-section throughout the ferroelectric sample,  wherein the suitable velocity comprises a critical relative velocity having a magnitude V crit  approximately equal to  xe2x80x83wherein R is a domain nuclear radius produced by an electric field generated in the ferroelectric sample by the first and second potential and xcfx84 sw  is a switching time for reversal off a polarization of the ferroelectric sample. 28. Scanning probe apparatus, comprising: a tip-electrode which is coupled to be maintained at a first potential;  a counter-electrode which is positioned in proximity to the tip-electrode and which is coupled to be maintained at a second potential differing from the first potential by a value greater thaw approximately 150 V ; and  positioning-instrumentation, which is adapted to maintain the tip-electrode at a suitable position relative to a surface of a ferroelectric sample located in a space between the tip-electrode and the counter-electrode so as to generate an electric field in the ferroelectric sample greater than a coercive field thereof, and comprising scanning-instrumentation which is adapted to induce the tip-electrode and the ferroelectric sample to move relative to each other, so that the tip-electrode scans across the surface of the sample, wherein the scanning-instrumentation is adapted to induce relative motion between the tip-electrode and the ferroelectric sample at a suitable velocity to produce a stable domain-engineered structure (DES) having a substantially invariant cross-section throughout the ferroelectric sample,  wherein the suitable velocity comprises a critical relative velocity having a magnitude V crit  approximately equal to  xe2x80x83wherein R is a domain nuclear radius produced by the electric field and xcfx84 sw  is a switching time for reversal of a polarization of the ferroelectric sample. 29. Scanning probe apparatus, comprising: a tip-electrode which is coupled to be maintained at a first potential;  a counter-electrode which is positioned in proximity to the tip-electrode and which is coupled to be maintained at a second potential differing from the first potential by a value greater than approximately 150 V ; and  positioning-instrumentation, which is adapted to maintain the tip-electrode at a suitable position relative to a surface of a ferroelectric sample located in a space between the tip-electrode and the counter-electrode so as to generate an electric field in the ferroelectric sample greater than a coercive field thereof, wherein a difference between the first and the second potential is set at a value U Rmin  approximately equal to or greater than a product of the coercive field and a thickness of the ferroelectric sample, wherein the difference is pulsed for a pre-determined period xcfx84 dur  so as to produce a stable DES having a substantially invariant cross-section throughout the ferroelectric sample,  wherein the pre-determined period xcfx84 dur  is greater than a switching time xcfx84 sw  for reversal of a polarization of the ferroelectric sample and is less than a dielectric relaxation time xcfx84 rel  of the ferroelectric sample. 30. A method for forming a domain-engineered structure (DES) in a ferroelectric sample, comprising: maintaining a tip-electrode at a substantially ground potential;  positioning a counter-electrode in proximity to the tip-electrode, so as to form a space therebetween;  applying a non-ground potential to the counter-electrode;  placing the ferroelectric sample in the space; and  positioning the tip-electrode relative to a surface of the ferroelectric sample so as to generate an electric field in the ferroelectric sample between the tip-electrode and the counter-electrode that is greater than a coercive field of the sample. 31. A method according to  claim 30 , and comprising inducing the tip-electrode and the ferroelectric sample to move relative to each other, so that the tip-electrode scans across the surface of the ferroelectric sample. claim 30 32. A method according to  claim 31 , wherein inducing the tip-electrode and the ferroelectric sample to move relative to each other comprises inducing the tip-electrode and the ferroelectric sample to move at a suitable relative velocity to produce a stable domain-engineered structure (DES) having a substantially invariant cross-section throughout the ferroelectric sample. claim 31 33. A method according to  claim 32 , wherein the DES comprises a one-dimensional DES. claim 32 34. A method according to  claim 32 , wherein the DES comprises a two-dimensional DES. claim 32 35. A method for forming a domain-engineered structure (DES) in a ferroelectric sample, comprising: maintaining a tip-electrode at a substantially ground potential;  positioning a counter-electrode in proximity to the tip-electrode, so as to form a space therebetween;  applying a non-ground potential to the counter-electrode;  placing the ferroelectric sample in the space; and  positioning the tip-electrode relative to a surface of the ferroelectric sample so as to generate an electric field in the ferroelectric sample between the tip-electrode and the counter-electrode that is greater than a coercive field of the sample, and comprising inducing the tip-electrode and the ferroelectric sample to move relative to each other, so that the tip-electrode scans across the surface of the ferroelectric sample, wherein inducing the tip-electrode and the ferroelectric sample to move relative to each other comprises inducing the tip-electrode and the ferroelectric sample to move at a suitable relative velocity to produce a stable domain-engineered structure (DES) having a substantially invariant cross-section throughout the ferroelectric sample,  wherein the suitable relative velocity comprises a critical relative velocity having a magnitude V crit  approximately equal to  xe2x80x83wherein R is a domain nuclear radius produced by the electric field and xcfx84 sw  is a switching time for reversal of a polarization of the ferroelectric sample. 36. A method according to  claim 30 , wherein applying the non-ground potential comprises applying a potential at a value U Rmin  approximately equal to or greater than a product of the coercive field and a thickness of the ferroelectric sample. claim 30 37. A method according to  claim 36 , wherein applying the potential comprises pulsing the non-ground potential for a pre-determined period xcfx84 dur  so as to produce a stable DES having a substantially invariant cross-section throughout the ferroelectric sample. claim 36 38. A method according to  claim 37 , wherein the DES comprises a one-dimensional DES. claim 37 39. A method according to  claim 37 , wherein the DES comprises a two-dimensional DES. claim 37 40. A method for forming a domain-engineered structure (DES) in a ferroelectric sample, comprising: maintaining a tip-electrode at a substantially ground potential;  positioning a counter-electrode in proximity to the tip-electrode, so as to form a space therebetween;  applying a non-ground potential to the counter-electrode;  placing the ferroelectric sample in the space; and  positioning the tip-electrode relative to a surface of the ferroelectric sample so as to generate an electric field in the ferroelectric sample between the tip-electrode and the counter-electrode that is greater than a coercive field of the sample, wherein applying the non-ground potential comprises applying a potential at a value U Rmin  approximately equal to or greater than a product of the coercive field and a thickness of the ferroelectric sample, wherein applying the potential comprises pulsing the non-ground potential for a pre-determined period xcfx84 dur  so as to produce a stable DES having a substantially invariant cross-section throughout the ferroelectric sample,  wherein the pre-determined period xcfx84 dur  is greater than a switching time xcfx84 sw  for reversal of a polarization of the ferroelectric sample and is less than a dielectric relaxation time xcfx84 rel  of the ferroelectric sample. 41. A method for forming a domain-engineered structure (DES) in a ferroelectric sample, comprising: maintaining a tip-electrode at a substantially ground potential;  positioning a counter-electrode in proximity to the tip-electrode, so as to form a space therebetween;  applying a non-ground potential to the counter-electrode;  placing the ferroelectric sample in the space;  positioning the tip-electrode relative to a surface of the ferroelectric sample so as to generate an electric field in the ferroelectric sample between the tip-electrode and the counter-electrode that is greater than a coercive field of the sample; and  maintaining a temperature of the ferroelectric sample different from an ambient temperature of the apparatus. 42. A method according to  claim 30 , and comprising terminating the tip-electrode in two or more separate sharp points, so that the electric field comprises substantially similar respective electric fields generated by each point. claim 30 43. A method according to  claim 30 , and comprising terminating the tip-electrode in a multi-dimensional surface. claim 30 44. A method according to  claim 30 , and comprising terminating the tip-electrode in a single sharp point. claim 30 45. A method according to  claim 30 , and comprising forming one or more stable domains in the ferroelectric sample. claim 30 46. A method according to  claim 45 , wherein the one or more stable domains comprise a one-dimensional DES having a substantially invariant cross-section throughout the sample. claim 45 47. A method according to  claim 45 , wherein the one or more stable domains comprise a two-dimensional DES having a substantially invariant cross-section throughout the sample. claim 45 48. A method according to  claim 45 , wherein the ferroelectric sample comprises an optical waveguide. claim 45 49. A method according to  claim 45 , wherein the one or more stable domains comprise a periodic DES. claim 45 50. A method according to  claim 45 , wherein the one or more stable domains comprise an aperiodic DES. claim 45 51. A method according to  claim 30 , wherein the ferroelectric sample comprises an existing DES, and comprising erasing at least a part of the existing domain. claim 30 52. A method according to  claim 30 , wherein positioning the tip-electrode comprises placing the tip-electrode to be substantially in contact with the surface of the ferroelectric sample. claim 30 53. A method according to  claim 30 , and wherein the tip-electrode and the counter-electrode are adapted to be operative as a scanning force microscope which reads the ferroelectric sample. claim 30 54. A method for forming a domain-engineered structure (DES) in a ferroelectric sample, comprising: maintaining a tip-electrode at a first potential;  positioning a counter-electrode in proximity to the tip-electrode so as to form a space therebetween;  placing the ferroelectric sample in the space;  setting the counter-electrode at a second potential differing from the first potential; and  inducing relative motion between the tip-electrode and the ferroelectric sample at a suitable velocity to produce a stable domain-engineered structure (DES) having a substantially invariant cross-section throughout the ferroelectric sample,  wherein the suitable velocity comprises a critical relative velocity having a magnitude V crit  approximately equal to  xe2x80x83wherein R is a domain nuclear radius produced by an electric field generated in the ferroelectric sample by the first and second potential and xcfx84 sw  is a switching time for reversal of a polarization of the ferroelectric sample.