Temperature Dependence of the Refractive Index _nc in SbSI Through the Ferroelectric–Paraelectric Transition

Abstract

Single crystals of SbSI have shown large changes in refractive index through the paraelectric-ferroelectric transition for light polarized parallel to the ferroelectric c axis. Near the absorption edge, the observed change is discontinuous. Large changes in refractive index can also be induced by pulsed electric fields along the c axis. The extreme anisotropy of SbSI is indicated by the large partial birefringences observed in the paraelectric phase.