A Thermodynamic Theory of Gadolinium Molybdate

A thermodynamic theory of the elastic and dielectric properties of gadolinium molybdate is developed on the basis of a free energy expansion, which properly describes the space group symmetry change of gadolinium molybdate at 159 °C. The temperature dependence of the material constants is qualitatively explained and it is shown to be connected with the sixth order terms in the phase transition parameters. The magnitude of coupling of the polarization with the phase transition parameters and the origin of the spontaneous polarization are discussed.