Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy of single crystalline KH${}_2$PO${}_4$

Abstract

This study employs resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) to investigate the elastic properties of single crystalline KH${}_2$PO${}_4$ (KDP) through the paraelectric to ferroelectric phase transition. Noteworthy anomalies are observed in selected resonance modes and their corresponding mechanical quality factors ($Q$) around the transition temperature. The thermal evolution of elastic constants ($C_{ij}$) across the phase transition reveals a significant softening of $C_{11}$, $C_{12}$, and $C_{13}$, accompanied by a stiffening in $C_{66}$. Additionally, both $C_{33}$ and $C_{44}$ exhibit a minimum value at the transition. This anomalous behavior of all elastic constants ($C_{ij}$) across the phase transition suggests the involvement of higher-order coupling between the lattice and polarization in the KDP crystal. Furthermore, the bulk modulus ($B$) undergoes a sudden softening precisely at the transition, while the shear modulus ($G$) initially softens and subsequently stiffens across the transition.