Time delay in the low-temperature phase of relaxors

A theoretical approach to the description of phase transition kinetics in the low-temperature phase of relaxors is put forward. The idea underlying the approach consists in the local direction of spontaneous polarization in relaxors being pinned by bound charge carriers. Strong electric fields gradually activate the localized carriers, with subsequent alignment of the local polarization with the field. This initiates a phase transition to a state with uniform spontaneous polarization, which occurs with a certain time delay. The dependence of the phase transition delay time on temperature and external electric field is described. (C) 2003 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".