Tunable Artificial Relaxor Behavior in [BaTiO_{3}]_{m}/[BaZrO_{3}]_{n} Superlattices

Phys Rev Lett. 2023 Jun 30;130(26):266801. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.266801.

Abstract

[BaTiO_{3}]_{m}/[BaZrO_{3}]_{n} (m, n=4-12) superlattices are used to demonstrate the fabrication and deterministic control of an artificial relaxor. X-ray diffraction and atomic-resolution imaging studies confirm the production of high-quality heterostructures. With decreasing BaTiO_{3} layer thickness, dielectric measurements reveal systematically lower dielectric-maximum temperatures, while hysteresis loops and third-harmonic nonlinearity studies suggest a transition from ferroelectriclike to relaxorlike behavior driven by tuning the random-field strength. This system provides a novel platform for studying the size effect and interaction length scale of the nanoscale-polar structures in relaxors.

MeSH terms

  • Barium Compounds*
  • Temperature

Substances

  • barium titanate(IV)
  • Barium Compounds