Birefringence study of the freezing mechanism of lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate relaxor ferroelectrics

Abstract

The temperature dependence of the electric field-induced birefringence and electro-optic coefficient of Pb0.91La0.09(Zr0.65Ti0.35)(0.9775)O-3 (PLZT) relaxor ferroelectrics were investigated. The remanent birefringence of the poled specimen disappeared around 268 K, thus indicating this to be the freezing temperature. On the other hand, a maximum value of the electro-optic coefficient was observed around 235 K, which is much lower than the freezing temperature. A brief discussion is given on the electro-optic coefficient behavior from the viewpoint of the freezing mechanism of PLZT relaxor ferroelectrics. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.