Memory of multiple aging stages above the freezing temperature in the relaxor ferroelectric PLZT

TL;DR

This study investigates the aging and memory effects in relaxor ferroelectric PLZT 9/65/35, revealing multiple aging stages and memory retention above the freezing temperature, similar to spin glass behavior.

Contribution

It demonstrates that relaxor ferroelectric PLZT exhibits multiple aging stages and memory effects above the freezing temperature, expanding understanding of aging phenomena in dipolar glasses.

Findings

Memory of multiple aging stages observed in susceptibility curves.

Memory retained above the deduced freezing temperature.

Results align with models of aging in spin and dipolar glasses.

Abstract

The dynamic dielectric susceptibility and elastic compliance of the relaxor ferroelectric PLZT 9/65/35 have been measured under different cooling and heating protocols, in order to study aging and memory. The memory of multiple aging stages has been found (several dips in the susceptibility curves on heating), as in spin glass systems below the glass transition. Remarkably, in PLZT the memory is retained also above the freezing temperature deduced from the dynamic susceptibilities. The results are discussed in the light of the existing models of aging and memory in spin and dipolar glasses.