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Absolute minimum of Landau's thermodynamic potential

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States)
We present a general method for finding the absolute minimum of Landau's thermodynamic potential. The method is illustrated in the example of the most general sixth-degree potential for a physical system whose order parameters transform as one of the three-dimensional vector representations of O/sub h/, O, and T/sub h/. The results are used to explain the three successive phase transitions occurring in BaTiO/sub 3/. The phase-transition conditions are obtained in an analytic form. We show why the perovskite-type crystals differ vastly in phase-transition properties even though their compositions are so similar.
Research Organization:
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-81ER40050
OSTI ID:
5985220
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States) Vol. 31:3; ISSN PRBMD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English