Heterogeneous field response of hierarchical polar laminates in relaxor ferroelectrics

• DOI: 10.1126/science.ado4494
• Publication Date: 2024-06-27T18:01:31Z
• Authors: Hao Zheng; Tao Zhou; Dina Sheyfer; Jieun Kim; Jiyeob Kim; Travis D. Frazer; Zhonghou Cai; Martin V. Holt; Zhan Zhang; J. F. Mitchell; Lane W. Martin; Yue Cao
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Condensed Matter - Materials Science; Condensed Matter - Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics; General Science & Technology; Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci); FOS: Physical sciences; Materials Engineering; 530; Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry; 03 medical and health sciences; Engineering; Chemical Sciences; Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)

Understanding the microscopic origin of superior electromechanical response in relaxor ferroelectrics requires knowledge not only atomic-scale formation polar nanodomains (PNDs) but also rules governing arrangements and stimulated PNDs over longer distances. Using x-ray coherent nanodiffraction, we show staggered self-assembly into unidirectional mesostructures that refer to as laminates ferroelectric 0.68PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3-0.32PbTiO3 (PMN-0.32PT). We reveal highly heterogeneous electric-field-driven responses intra- interlaminate establish their correlation with local strain nature PND walls. Our observations highlight critical role hierarchical lattice organizations on macroscopic material properties provide guiding principles for understanding design relaxors a wide range quantum functional materials.