Dynamics of ferroelectric domains through phase transitions are used to determine charge compensation mechanisms. The effect of surface reactivity on domains and vice versa are used to stabilize nanometer scale charge patterns. Novel probes of nanometer scale property variations are developed based on Scanning Probe Microscopies. Particular attention is paid to quantification of local properties which requires theoretical analyses of electromagnetic interactions between the probe tip and complex surfaces. Examples include piezoelectric response imaging, magnetic force imaging with surface potential correction, electrostatic phase shift imaging of defects.
Spatial resolution is on the characteristic length scale of the phenomena.