Polar clusters in relaxor (Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O3 revealed by second harmonic generation

Abstract

Polarization ordering in Pb1−xLax(Zr0.65Ti0.35)0.98O3 ceramics for x=8%, 9% and 9.5% (PLZT x/65/35) was detected from the temperature dependence of the averaged second harmonic generation (SHG) intensity. In PLZT 8/65/35 it shows two drops near the freezing transition (at about 50 °C) and slightly below the Burns temperature (about 350 °C). The SHG intensity exhibits peaks at 90 and 355 °C detected in both PLZT compositions using slow heating runs, which disappear for faster temperature runs. This indicates an unusual increase in dipole ordering with a very slow relaxation time.