Phase transition of KDP observed by Resonant X-ray Diffraction at forbidden reflections

Abstract

We report observations of space-group-forbidden Bragg reflections in Potassium (KH2PO4), at the potassium K edge. We find clear evidence for a transition from one class of space-group-forbidden reflections, where scattering is ruled out by the electric dipole approximation, to a second class, in the ferroelectric phase, where scattering can proceed due to resonant anisotropy within the dipole approximation. The change of symmetry is clearly evidenced by the sudden change of intensity and energy spectrum of the forbidden reflections. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.