Evidence of decoupled lattice distortion and ferroelectric polarization in the relaxor system PMN-xPT

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Date
2003-12-30
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Volume Title
Publisher
American Physical Society
Abstract

We report high q-resolution neutron scattering data on PMN-xPT single crystals with x=20% and 27%. No rhombohedral distortion occurs in the 20PT sample for temperatures as low as 50 K. On the other hand, the 27PT sample transforms into a rhombohedral phase below T(C)similar to375 K. Our data provide conclusive evidence that a phase with an average cubic lattice is present in the bulk of this relaxor system at low PT concentration, in which the ferroelectric polarization and lattice distortion are decoupled. The rhombohedral distortion is limited to the outermost tens of microns of the crystal.

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Keywords
X-ray diffraction, Single crystals, Phase transitions, Scattering, Behavior, Physics
Citation
Xu, GY ; Viehland, D ; Li, JF ; et al., Dec 2003. "Evidence of decoupled lattice distortion and ferroelectric polarization in the relaxor system PMN-xPT," PHYSICAL REVIEW B 68(21): 212410. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.68.212410.