Ferroelectric-like metallic state in electron doped BaTiO3

Abstract

We report that a ferroelectric-like metallic state with reduced anisotropy of polarization is created by the doping of conduction electrons into BaTiO 3, on the bases of x-ray/electron diffraction and infrared spectroscopic experiments. The crystal structure is heterogeneous in nanometer-scale, as enabled by the reduced polarization anisotropy. The enhanced infrared intensity of soft phonon along with the resistivity reduction suggests the presence of unusual electron-phonon coupling, which may be responsible for the emergent ferroelectric structure compatible with metallic state.