Polarization reversal in the uniaxial ferroelectric under full compensation of depolarization field

The role of charge conservation law in our understanding of the peculiarities of the polarization reversal process in ferroelectrics is discussed. The example of the uniaxial ferroelectric LiNbO3 with bi-domain tail-to-tail structure is compared with traditional switching from the single domain state. The crucial role of the enhanced conductivity along charged domain walls arising due to switching in such structures is discussed.