Microscopic mechanisms behind hyperferroelectricity

Abstract

Hyperferroelectrics are receiving a growing interest thanks to their unique property to retain a spontaneous polarization even in presence of a depolarizing field. Nevertheless, general microscopic mechanisms driving hyperferroelectricity, which is ascribed to the softening of a polar $LO$ mode, are still missing. Here, by means of phonons calculations and force constants analysis in two class of hyperferroelectrics, the ABO$_3$-LiNbO3-type systems and the prototypical hexagonal-ABC systems, we unveiled common features in the dynamical properties of a hyperferroelectric behind such $LO$ instability: negative or vanishing on-site force constant associated to the cation driving the $LO$ polar distortion, and destabilizing cation-anion interactions, both induced by short-range forces. We also predict possible enhancement of the hyperferroelectric properties by applying an external positive pressure; pressure strengthens the destabilizing short-range interactions. Particularly, the increase in the mode effective charges associated to the unstable $LO$ mode under pressure suggests an eventual enhancement of the $D$=0 polarization under compressive strain.