Incommensurate satellite reflections at (
h, 0,
l±(1⁄3−δ)) were measured by neutron scattering for ferroelectric {N(CH
3)
4}
2ZnCl
4. In phase II (7.5∼23.6°C) an incommensurate structure (δ≠0) was observed. The parameter δ is about −0.086 at the II–I transition temperature, and the absolute value of δ slightly decreases with decreasing temperature. At the ferroelectric Curie temperature (7.5°C) it tends discontinuously to zero. The results confirm that the ferroelectricity in this material is caused by the incommensurate-to-commensurate phase transition as in the case of K
2SeO
4.
View full abstract