Hot spot in La-doped BaTiO3 ceramic rod

Abstract

The current-voltage characteristic and the temperature distribution of the BaTiO3 ceramic rod were investigated. When a certain voltage was applied to the rod, the current through the rod abruptly decreased, and the temperature distribution markedly changed resulting in the appearance of a hot spot where the temperature was higher than that of the rest of the rod. With increasing voltage after the appearance of the hot spot, the current remained constant and the temperature and size of the hot spot increased. The results have shown that the hot spot regulates the current through the rod by changing its temperature, which may lead to new applications of BaTiO3.