Optical characterization and crystal structure of the novel bronzetype Ca_xBa_1‐xNb₂O₆ (x = 0.28; CBN‐28)

Abstract

Abstract Calcium barium niobate (CBN), also like strontium barium niobate (SBN), belongs to the materials family of partially filled tetragonal tungsten bronzes, which show relaxor‐type ferroelectric phase transitions and large electro‐optic effects. For the first time, it was possible to grow large single crystals of Ca 0.25 Ba 0.75 Nb 2 O 6 (CBN‐25) and CBN‐28 by using different growing techniques. The successful single crystal growth allowed to investigate several physical properties of the novel phase. Herein, we report on measurements of differential thermal analysis (DTA), wavelength dispersion of the refractive indices, temperature dependence of the birefringence and light absorption. Additionally, results of the single crystal X‐ray structure analysis are presented.