Ferroelectric Behavior in Epitaxial Films of Relaxor PbMg_1/3Nb_2/3O₃

Abstract

The nonlinear dielectric response of epitaxial thin films of relaxor ferroelectric PbMg_1/3Nb_2/3O₃ was experimentally studied using digital Fourier analysis. Change from glass-like to ferroelectric behavior was detected in a broad temperature range, at relatively low ac and/or dc electric fields, and at a time scale of seconds. The presence of interfaces and peculiar microstructure of thin films are suggested to determine such a specific behavior.

Keywords:

• Relaxor
• ferroelectric
• thin film
• nonlinear
• dielectric
• glass
• PMN

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Academy of Finland (Project No. 50941) and EU Centre of Excellence CAMART, Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia.