The Persistence and Memory of Polar Nano-Regions in a Ferroelectric Relaxor Under an Electric Field

TL;DR

This study reveals that polar nanoregions in a ferroelectric relaxor exhibit persistent memory effects under electric fields, with diffuse scattering signals remaining after field removal and heating, indicating robust field history retention.

Contribution

It demonstrates that PNR in relaxors retain a memory of electric fields even after heating above T_C, challenging classical expectations about their behavior.

Findings

Diffuse scattering persists and is enhanced by field cooling.

PNR retain memory of electric fields after removal.

Memory effect reappears after heating above T_C.

Abstract

The response of polar nanoregions (PNR) in the relaxor compound Pb[(Zn$_{1/3}$Nb$_{2/3}$)$_{0.92}$Ti$_{0.08}$]O$_3$ subject to a [111]-oriented electric field has been studied by neutron diffuse scattering. Contrary to classical expectations, the diffuse scattering associated with the PNR persists, and is even partially enhanced by field cooling. The effect of the external electric field is retained by the PNR after the field is removed. The ``memory'' of the applied field reappears even after heating the system above $T_C$, and cooling in zero field.