Strain distributions in the dipolar glass KTaO3:Li

Abstract
A single crystal of K0.97Li0.03TaO3 has been studied by neutron diffraction. The freezing into the dipolar glass state is accompanied by a strong increase of the Bragg intensities. The Bragg intensities are analysed in terms of an extinction model. It is proposed that the partial relief of extinction at the freezing temperature is due to a fragmentation of the crystal into strained regions. The width of the strain distribution and the characteristic size of the regions are derived.