Response of polar nanoregions in 68% Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-32% PbTiO3 to a [001] electric field

We report neutron diffuse scattering measurements on a single crystal of 68% Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O-3-32% PbTiO3. Strong diffuse scattering is observed at low temperatures. An external field applied along the (001) direction affects the diffuse scattering in the (HK0) plane significantly, suggesting a redistribution occurs between polar nanoregions of different polarizations perpendicular to the field. By contrast, the (001) field has no effect on the diffuse scattering in the (H0L) and (0KL) zones. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.