Single-crystal neutron diffuse scattering and Monte Carlo study of the relaxor ferroelectric PbZn_1/3Nb_2/3O₃(PZN)

Abstract

Full three‐dimensional diffuse neutron scattering data have been recorded from a single crystal of Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 (PZN) at 300 K using the time‐of‐flight Laue technique on the SXD single‐crystal instrument at ISIS. The data show a series of diffuse rods of scattering oriented parallel to each of the six 〈1 1 0〉 crystal directions. Monte Carlo simulation has been used to demonstrate that the diffuse rods are caused by planar nanodomains oriented normal to the 〈1 1 0〉 directions. Within these domains, there ar…