Long-lived dynamic heterogeneity in a relaxor ferroelectric

The polydispersive dielectric response of the relaxer ferroelectric lead magnesium niobate was investigated using nonresonant spectral hole-burning experiments. Using large alternating electric fields, specific parts of the relaxation-time distribution could be addressed selectively. This provides evidence for the dynamic heterogeneity of the dipolar reorientation process. The refilling of single as well as of double holes was much slower than the time scale set by the pump frequencies. Upon refilling, the holes exhibited no signs of spectral broadening. The present findings suggest a speedup of polarization response associated with a domain-wall depinning that is induced by the hole-burning event. [S0031-9007(98)07584-X].