Dielectric behaviors of antiferroelectric–ferroelectric transition under electric field

As a nonlinear capacitor, the dielectric behaviors of antiferroelectric–ferroelectric transition under strong electric fields were studied. (Pb0.94La0.04)(Zr0.55Sn0.30Ti0.15)O3 composition was chosen, which was of a slim double-hysteresis loops at suited electric field. The differential dielectric constant and small signal dielectric constant were measured. Experimental results showed that both the differential and small signal dielectric constants appeared maximal values around the switch electric fields that induced antiferroelectric–ferroelectric transitions. The extremes of differential dielectric constant were always hysteretic electrically to the extremes of small signal dielectric constant whether electric field increasing or decreasing. The phenomena were discussed in light of our current understanding.