First Order Phase Transition in Quantum Paraelectrics

Abstract

We discuss the nature of pressure induced phase transitions in standard Quantum Paraelectrics near quantum critical point. From a microscopic theory we first show that near the critical point the transition temperature $T_c(p)$ varies as $(1-p/p_c{)}^{\xi }$ with $\xi =1/2$. Within the Landau scheme, it is shown that for $\xi \le 1$, a condition satisfied by most quantum paraelectrics the transition is inevitably first order in nature. The present analysis is valid for non-polar impurity induced transitions in these materials and is supported by some recent experiment.

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