Abstract
Complementary diffuse and inelastic synchrotron x-ray scattering measurements of lead zirconate-titanate single crystals with composition near the morphotropic phase boundary () are reported. In the temperature range a highly anisotropic quasielastic diffuse scattering is observed. Above 400 K this scattering disappears. Its main features can be reproduced by the model of inhomogeneous lattice deformations caused by inclusions of a tetragonal phase into a rhombohedral or monoclinic phase. This observation supports the idea that PZT at its morphotropic phase boundary is essentially structurally inhomogeneous.
- Received 27 April 2012
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.097603
© 2012 American Physical Society