An intriguing canting dipole configuration and its evolution under an electric field in La-doped Pb(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3 perovskites

Despite the fact that electric dipole ordering plays a key role in unique physical properties of dielectric materials, configurations mostly appear simply as either parallel or antiparallel. Here, we report canting configuration La-doped Pb(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3 perovskites based on advanced neutron, synchrotron X-ray and three-dimensional electron diffraction techniques. It is revealed that, arising from coupling between atomic displacement oxygen octahedral tilting, this displays arrangement aligned (110)p plane possesses an antiparallel component along [110]P direction [001]P direction. Remarkably, under in-situ field, dipoles continuously rotate with gradually reduced angle, confirmed by phase-field simulations, ultimately evolve into ferroelectric ordering. Such evolution gives rises to small hysteresis equivalent lattice strain macroscopic strain. These findings enrich current understanding types materials are expected aid design new emergent properties.