Defect induced lattice instabilities and competing interactions in niobium doped lead zirconate single crystals

Influence of heterovalent Nb5+ doping of antiferroelectric PbZrO3 single crystal has been investigated. This kind of doping, producing defects in the perovskite matrix, influences the lattice instabilities responsible for phase transition at TC, and for inducing pre- and post-transitional effects. The dielectric, electromechanical, and optical properties were investigated. Opposite to their ceramic analogues, the investigated single crystals show a new phase transition and enlarged temperature ranges of lattice instabilities.