Phase identification and domain structure in PLZT ceramics

Abstract

The poling of certain compositions of PLZT ceramic is shown to cause a phase transition (α→β). The polar β phase can be rhombohedral, tetragonal, or orthorhombic depending upon composition, while phase α is always cubic. Characteristic subgrain domain structure is observed in the β phase for orthorhombic and rhombohedral compositions. Phase α is shown to be optically isotropic in a single−grain thickness. Identification of these phases and the observed domain structure enables the phase transitions