It is shown that the uniform strain parameter of the unit cell of solid sol
utions of alkali metal niobates can be raised and their permittivity can dr
astically be decreased by isovalent superstoichiometric modification in the
A subcell. The underlying mechanism is suggested. It is concluded that the
se findings are helpful in studying (simulating) piezoelectric ferroelectri
cs of practical value. (C) 2001 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".