Analysis of Ba(Mg_1/3, Ta_2/3)O₃ by atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy

Abstract

The crystal structure of Ba(Mg1/3,Ta2/3)O3, which is thought to contribute to its microwave properties, was analyzed at the atomic resolution using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Using STEM, Ba(Mg1/3,Ta2/3)O3 exhibits an ABO3-type perovskite structure observed in the [110] direction with two structures identified: a disordered region, in which Mg and Ta atoms randomly occupy the B site, and an ordered region, in which Mg and Ta atoms are ordered. In the disordered region, the displacement directions of the Ba|O and Mg/Ta atomic columns were random, whereas in the ordered region, the displacement directions of the Ba|O and Mg atomic columns were random. The Ta atomic columns were displaced toward the neighboring Mg atomic columns. This structural change may affect the microwave properties of Ba(Mg1/3,Ta2/3)O3.