Electric field effects on the domain structures and the phase transitions of 0.62Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.38PbTiO3single crystals with different orientations

The domain states and phase transitions in 0.62Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 –0.38PbTiO 3 single crystals with different orientations were investigated through biased dielectric measurement, thermally stimulated discharging current (TSDC) and polarization–electric field ( P–E ) hysteresis loop measurements. The biased dielectric response shows that the crystals have a macrodomain tetragonal ferroelectric state in the ferroelectric phase under zero dc bias. An external bias field could modulate the domain state and induce a phase transition in the crystals. Also, it is proposed that a bias field applied along the direction of the original tetragonal phase could induce triple like P–E hysteresis loops and an orthorhombic ferroelectric phase in an intermediate temperature range.