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An Anomalous Phase in the Relaxor Ferroelectric Pb(Zn$_{1/3}$Nb$_{2/3}$)O$_3$

Guangyong Xu·Z. Zhong·Y. Bing·Z. -G. Ye·C. Stock·G. Shirane
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Abstract

X-ray diffraction studies on a Pb(Zn$_{1/3}$Nb$_{2/3}$)O$_3$ (PZN) single crystal sample show the presence of two different structures. An outer-layer exists in the outer most $\sim$ 10 to 50~$μ$m of the crystal, and undergoes a structural phase transition at the Curie temperature $T_C\approx410$ K. The inside phase is however, very different. The lattice inside the crystal maintains a cubic unit cell, while ferroelectric polarization develops below $T_C$. The lattice parameter of the cubic unit cell remains virtually a constant, i.e., much less variations compared to that of a typical relaxor ferroelectric, in a wide temperature range of 15 K to 750 K. On the other hand, broadening of Bragg peaks and change of Bragg profile line-shapes in both longitudinal and transverse directions at $T_C$ clearly indicate a structural phase transition occurring.

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Guangyong Xu, Z. Zhong, Y. Bing, Z. -G. Ye, C. Stock, G. Shirane. 2004-03-24. An Anomalous Phase in the Relaxor Ferroelectric Pb(Zn$_{1/3}$Nb$_{2/3}$)O$_3$. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.70.064107

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