Field-induced splitting of the OH-Stretch absorption line in KTaO3 and KTaO3 :Li

Abstract

We have studied the electric field-induced splitting of a single OH stretch mode in KTaO₃ and KTaO₃ :Li. For the three prominent directions [100], [110] and [111] we observed polarized splitting patterns with up to six components. The line positions exhibit no mirror symmetry with respect to the zero-field frequency. This behaviour can be interpreted by taking into account a field-dependent shift of the Ta⁵⁺ ion and a change of the covalent character of the bond. Li-doped KTaO₃ samples show for [Li] < 2mol% a line broadening, while for [Li] < 3.5 mol% a field dependent phase transition has been observed with evidence for a 90 degree domain structure.