Diffuse phase transition in lead zinc niobate

Abstract

The behavior of the diffuse phase transition in a Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 crystal of the disordered perovskite type was investigated. The electrooptic effect, spontaneous polarization, dielectric constant and thermal expansion were measured carefully as a function of temperature in the region of the phase transition. Using the technique suggested by Rolov, statistical treatments based on a Gaussian distribution function for the local Curie temperature were applied in interpreting the temperature dependence of various physical properties of Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3. Good agreement was obtained between the calculated and experimental results.