Ferroelectric phase transitions in CsLiMoO4 single crystals

Two structural phase transitions at 211 and 177 K are discovered and investigated in single crystals of cesium lithium molybdate by means of optical, dielectric, and X-ray methods. Spontaneous polarization and dielectric hysteresis loops are observed in both low temperature phases. Judging from X-ray powder data the succession of phase transitions corresponds to the point symmetry changes -43m → 3m → m. Spontaneous polarization of the crystal seems to be determined by a spontaneous deformation of the unit cell due to the piezoelectric effect of the initial cubic phase. (author)