6533b861fe1ef96bd12c4475

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Electron-relaxation-mode interaction in BaTiO3:Nb.

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Dielectric relaxation was previously reported in ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$ and ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$:Fe single crystals at radio frequencies [M. Maglione et al., Phys. Rev. B 40, 11 441 (1989)]. We have measured the dielectric dispersion in four ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$:Nb samples (${\mathit{x}}_{\mathrm{Nb}}$0.3 at. %) as a function of frequency (10f${10}^{9}$ Hz) and temperature (20T450 K). The electronic conductivity of ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$:Nb enhances drastically the relaxation step at all temperatures. In the rhombohedral phase of ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$:Nb (T180 K), an unusual slowing down of the relaxation motion is measured. The relaxation time increases to more than ${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ s at 20 K while the relaxation step is temperature independent. The precursor effect of this slowing down is a maximum in the dc conductivity. A simple electron--relaxation-mode coupling model may explain such behavior.