AC-drive enhanced relaxor characteristics and domain breakdown in ferroelectrics containing quenched impurities

The dielectric constant has been measured for various compositions in the (Pb/sub 1-3/2y/La/sub y/) (Zr/sub 0.65/Ti/sub 0.35/)O/sub 3/ solution as a function of AC drive amplitude. These studies have shown the presence of strong nonlinearities and enhanced relaxor characteristics with increasing AC drive. Corresponding transmission electron microscopy investigations demonstrated an enhanced breakdown of ferroelectric domains. Polarization studies revealed linearity in the range of field strengths investigated, demonstrating that the dielectric nonlinearities are not due to polarization switching, but rather to the dynamics of various domain-like states. In the disordered condition, evidence is then presented which demonstrates a mesoscale freeze out of polar clusters.