Heterogeneous field response of hierarchical polar laminates in relaxor ferroelectrics

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Zheng, Hao; Zhou, Tao; Sheyfer, Dina; Kim, Jieun; Kim, Jiyeob; Frazer, Travis D.; Cai, Zhonghou; Holt, Martin V.; Zhang, Zhan; Mitchell, J. F.; Martin, Lane W.; Cao, Yue
• 署名单位: United States Department of Energy (DOE); Argonne National Laboratory; United States Department of Energy (DOE); Argonne National Laboratory; United States Department of Energy (DOE); Argonne National Laboratory; University of California System; University of California Berkeley; United States Department of Energy (DOE); Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Rice University; Rice University; Rice University; Rice University
• 刊物名称: SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0036-9592
• DOI: 10.1126/science.ado4494
• 发表日期: 2024-06-28
• 页码: 1447-1452
• 关键词: x-ray; electric-field; polarization; crystals

摘要

Understanding the microscopic origin of the superior electromechanical response in relaxor ferroelectrics requires knowledge not only of the atomic-scale formation of polar nanodomains (PNDs) but also the rules governing the arrangements and stimulated response of PNDs over longer distances. Using x-ray coherent nanodiffraction, we show the staggered self-assembly of PNDs into unidirectional mesostructures that we refer to as polar laminates in the relaxor ferroelectric 0.68PbMg(1/3)Nb(2/3)O(3)-0.32PbTiO(3) (PMN-0.32PT). We reveal the highly heterogeneous electric-field-driven responses of intra- and interlaminate PNDs and establish their correlation with the local strain and the nature of the PND walls. Our observations highlight the critical role of hierarchical lattice organizations on macroscopic material properties and provide guiding principles for the understanding and design of relaxors and a wide range of quantum and functional materials.