Electric field-induced tetragonal to orthorhombic phase transitions in [110]c-oriented BaTiO3 single crystals

Electric field-induced phase transitions in [110](c)-oriented BaTiO3 single crystals were studied by macroscopic electrical measurements in the temperature range from 20 degrees C to 50 degrees C. Discontinuous, hysteretic jumps in the polarization and strain were observed, indicating a tetragonal <-> orthorhombic phase transition. The critical electric field to induce the transition was found to shift to higher values with increasing temperature. The Landau-Devonshire theory was used to analyze the observed electric field-induced T <-> O phase transitions. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4769368]