Domain structure and birefringence studies on a 0.91Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.09PbTiO3 single crystal

Domain structure and phase transition sequence of 0.91PZN-0.09PT single crystal, grown from high temperature solution, have been analysed using polarised light microscopy. The domain structure of (001)(cub) cut single crystal exhibit co-existence of rhombohedral and tetragonal phases. The sequence and phase transition temperatures have been determined from temperature dependence of birefringence. Birefringence measurements during heating and cooling reveal a first order nature of phase transition between rhombohedral (R3m) and tetragonal (P4mm). The birefringence was measured with accuracy of 10(-3). However, dielectric measurement does not provide any evidence of R3m - P4mm phase transition. It is shown that in-situ analysis of domain structure and phase transition can be used as non-destructive analytical tool for determination of local composition and phase transition sequence. (c) 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.