On the metastable phase in BaTiO₃ single crystals

Abstract

An intermediate structural phase was found between the cubic and tetragonal phases during investigations of dielectric dispersion of highly perfect BaTiO₃ single crystals in temperature range 121 °C → 80 °C. The phase was identified as a metastable phase, typical for the first-order phase transitions. It is suggested that the phase is a common property of BaTiO₃ single crystals. The manifestation of the metastable phase is usually excluded by growth defects and defects introduced during preparation and measurements which create nucleation centers of a low-temperature phase.

Keywords:

• Barium titanate
• phase transitions
• metastable phase
• dielectric spectroscopy