AN X-RAY-DIFFRACTION AND EXAFS STUDY OF THE ELECTRIC-FIELD-INDUCED PBZRO3 FERROELECTRIC PHASE

A structural study of a PbZrO3 electric-field-induced ferroelectric ph ase has been performed using single-crystal x-ray diffraction and EXAF S techniques. The polar axis was found to be orthogonal to the directi on of atomic displacements in the initial antiferroelectric phase. The ferroelectric properties of the phase are due to a Pb displacement of about 0.17 Angstrom relative to the oxygen framework along the polar axis. The Zr atoms are disordered between two symmetry-related positio ns and shifted mainly orthogonally to the polar axis. The results obta ined by the two methods of crystal structure investigation are in good agreement.