Coexistence of polar order and local domain dynamics in ferroelectric SrTi18O3

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that in SrTi18O3, long-range ferroelectric order and local dynamical symmetry breaking can coexist, revealing complex interactions between global and local polar phenomena in perovskite oxides.

Contribution

It shows that displacive mean-field dynamics coexist with local symmetry breaking in SrTi18O3, advancing understanding of ferroelectric behavior.

Findings

Long-range polar order coexists with local symmetry breaking.

Local effects are observed well above the phase transition.

Displacive mean-field dynamics and local effects are compatible.

Abstract

Perovskite oxide ferroelectrics show classical soft mode behaviour typical for the onset of a homogeneous long-range polar state and a displacive phase transition. Besides these long wave length properties, local effects are observed by different probes which reveal that dynamical symmetry breaking already takes place already far above the actual instability. It is shown here that displacive mean-field type dynamics can indeed coexist with local dynamical symmetry breaking.