Electric Polarization in YCrO3 Induced by Restricted Polar Domains of Magnetic and Structural Natures

Abstract

The electric polarization induced by local polar domains of two types (phase separation domains of magnetic nature and structure-distorted domains) has been observed in a YCrO₃ single crystal. These domains form a superparaelectric state. Below some temperatures, in the frozen superparaelectric state, the pyrocurrent maxima and the hysteresis loops with remanent polarization are observed as along axis c so in directions [110]. The polarization exists to the temperatures depending on the orientation of electric field with respect to the crystal axes. The sources of formation of such local domains are analyzed and their properties are studied.