Thermal hysteresis of local instabilities in paraelectric phase of PbZr0.96Sn0.04 O3 single crystals

Abstract

Investigations of local electromechanical properties for PbZr1−xSnxO3 single crystals are a way to understand better the phase transition mechanisms in oxide perovskites with antiferroelectric phase transition. The investigations of local electromechanical studies were performed by the PEFM. The piezoelectric activity in nano-scale and weak birefringence observed in micro-scale have been found in the paraelectric phase and are a proof for theoretically predicted local instability above TC [A. Bussmann-Holder et al., Phys. Rev. B 79, 184111 (2009)]. Origin of these instabilities is analysed taking into account non-homogeneous distribution of Sn in crystal lattice, presence of extended defects and other lattice inhomogeneities. Temperature dependences and thermal hysteresis of piezo- and electrostrictive responses were compared with bulk properties.