Competing orders in PZN-xPT and PMN-xPT relaxor ferroelectrics

TL;DR

This paper investigates the complex interplay between long-range and short-range polar orders in relaxor ferroelectrics PZN-xPT and PMN-xPT, highlighting how inhomogeneities influence their structural and dynamical properties.

Contribution

It provides detailed neutron and x-ray scattering analysis of the coexistence and competition of polar orders in relaxor ferroelectrics, emphasizing the roles of inhomogeneities and polar nano-regions.

Findings

Long-range polar order can be established at low temperatures.

Polar nano-regions persist despite long-range order.

Inhomogeneities significantly influence material properties.

Abstract

Neutron and x-ray scattering studies on relaxor ferroelectric systems Pb(Zn$_{1/3}$Nb$_{2/3}$)O$_3$ (PZN), Pb(Mg$_{1/3}$Nb$_{2/3}$)O$_3$ (PMN), and their solid solutions with PbTiO$_3$ (PT) have shown that inhomogeneities and disorder play important roles in the materials properties. Although a long-range polar order can be established at low temperature - sometimes with the help of an external electric field; short-range local structures called the ``polar nano-regions'' (PNR) still persist. Both the bulk structure and the PNR have been studied in details. The coexistence and competition of long- and short-range polar orders and how they affect the structural and dynamical properties of relaxor materials are discussed.