Secondary electron emissiometry of phase transitions in ferroelectrics and superconductors

Abstract

The model of the secondary electron emission was modified for the phase transitions in ferroelectrics and HT_c superconductors. One of the characteristic features is predicted to be a minimum of the emission yield near the phase transition due to an interaction between secondary electrons and fluctuations of the new phase. Experiments performed in the scanning electron microscope at 75–215, 300–420 K for ferroelectric BaTiO₃, at 20–300 K for superconducting Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈, and at T _room for ferroelectric Pb₅(Ge_1−xSi_x)₃O₁₁ are in an agreement with model views.

Keywords:

• Secondary electron emission
• phase transition
• ferroelectrics
• HT_c superconductors