A comparative study of dielectric and Raman spectroscopy of Pb(Y b<inf>1/2</inf>Ta<inf>1/2</inf>)O<inf>3</inf> and Pb(Y b<inf>1/2</inf>Nb<inf>1/2</inf>)O<inf>3</inf>

A comparative study of the properties of two highly ordered lead based complex perovskites Pb(Y b1/2Ta1/2)O3 and Pb(Y b1/2Nb1/2)O3 has been carried out through x-ray diffraction, dielectric and Raman scattering measurements. These two compounds differ significantly in their structure, dielectric response and phonon vibration although the ionic radii and valencies are same for Ta and Nb. The room temperature x-ray diffraction pattern and Raman spectra show that the symmetry of lead ytterbium tantalate is lower than that of lead ytterbium niobate. The Raman spectra of Pb(Y b1/2Ta1/2)O3 also indicates the presence of local distortion in the lattice which may be one of the factors responsible for the existence of a secondary transition. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.