Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026

Epitaxial Growth of Perovskite Strontium Titanate on Germanium via Atomic Layer Deposition
Published on: July 26, 2016
Precursor dynamics, incipient ferroelectricity and huge anharmonicity in antiferroelectric lead zirconate PbZrO3
Annette Bussmann-Holder1, Jae-Hyeon Ko, Andrzej Majchrowski
1Max Planck Institut für Festkörperforschung, Stuttgart, Germany. a.bussmann-holder@fkf.mpg.de
Abstract:
To better understand the phase transition mechanism of PbZrO3 (PZO), the lattice dynamics of this antiferroelectric compound are investigated within the polarizability model, with emphasis on the cubic to orthorhombic phase transition. Similarly to ferroelectric phase transitions in ABO3 perovskites, polar dynamical clusters develop and grow in size upon approaching T(C) from the high temperature side and never form a homogeneous state. Simultaneously, elastic anomalies set in and compete with polar cluster dynamics. These unusual dynamics are responsible for precursor effects that drive the PZO lattice towards an incipient ferroelectric state. Comparison of the model calculations with the temperature dependences of elastic coefficients measured on PZO single crystals reveals a striking similarity.
Related Concept Videos
Ferromagnetism
Valence Bond Theory
Ionic Crystal Structures
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
Imperfections in Crystal Structure: Stoichiometric Point Defects
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...

