Structural inhibition of ferroelectric switching in triglycine sulphate. II, X-Irradiation/field treatment†

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Abstract
The changes induced in some properties of triglycine sulphate (TGS) single crystals by X-irradiation vi the presence of an external electric field are found to be beneficial to the pyroclectric applications of this material. The variations of dielectric and pyroelectric properties are investigated as a function of radiation dose. Optimum properties are found after irradiation sufficient to cause the development of a self-bias of a few kV/cm on the crystal which keeps it in a single domain state. This effect is accompanied by an increase in the pyroelectric coefficient and a decrease in the dielectric constant at room temperature. Properties comparable to those recently reported for TGS crystals containing L-alanine are thus obtained. The annealing effects of elevated temperatures and electric fields on the irradiation induced self bias are documented. The relevance of the present results to applications of TGS and to the recent structural studies of irradiation/field treated TGS crystals are discussed.