The channeling of light ions in the cubic and tetragonal (ferroelectrically polarized) phases of BaTiO3

Abstract

The channeling properties of thin BaTiO₃ crystals at temperatures both above and below the ferroelectric Curie point (T _c ≍ 120°C)have been measured with 3.8 MeV protons. In the cubic phase (T > T _c ), values for critical angles and minimum yields, have been measured for the major crystal axes and planes by detecting backscattered and transmitted protons, and characteristic X-rays. These values are compared with those predicted by current theories of ion channeling. In the tetragonal phase (T < T _c ), measurements were made with single ferroelectric domains. The channeling characteristics of the (100) planes in BaTiO₃ are found to be strongly dependent on the relative orientations of the electric polarization vector P, the (100) planes, and the beam direction. For example, when P lies in the channeling plane, strong channeling occurs; but when P is normal to the plane, the incident beam is rapidly dechanneled. These effects are attributed to the relatively large ionic displacements, and the strong internal electric fields in the ferroelectrically polarized state.