Dielectric dispersion associated with the dc-electric-field-enforced ferroelectric phase transition in the antiferroelectric betaine phosphate

Abstract

The dc-electric field dependence of the dielectric properties (complex permittivity and relaxation time) of the antiferroelectric betaine phosphate was investigated under various frequencies. The strong dielectric dispersion along the b-axis associated with the field-enforced ferroelectric phase transition was observed. The slowing-down of the relaxation time toward a critical electric field E_cr, which induces the forced transition to the ferroelectric phase, was observed. The frequency dependence of the complex relative permittivity obeys the Cole-Cole are law. The relaxation time is of the order of 10⁻⁵s near E_cr.