The elastic and electromechanical properties of BaTiO₃ single crystal through the ferroelectric transition

Abstract

Using Brillouin scattering and impedance methods, the elastic, piezoelectric and dielectric properties have been determined for mono-domain single crystal BaTiO₃ from 23°C to 160°C. In the cubic phase (T>130°C) only the compressional elastic constant C₁₁ exhibits partial softening of about 6% upon cooling. During the tetragonal to cubic phase transition, most elastic constants show discontinuous changes: either stiffening or softening. These and other results are discussed in terms of precursive effects through the electromechanical interaction of the ferroelectric phase transformation.