Phase transitions in KTP isostructures: correlation between structure and Tc in germanium-doped RbTiOPO4.

Crystals of germanium-doped rubidium titanyl phosphate, Rb(2)(Ti)(Ge(0.121)Ti(0.879))O(2)(PO(4))(2) (GeRTP#1) and Rb(2)(Ge(0.125)Ti(0.875))(Ge(0.225)Ti(0.775))O(2)(PO(4))(2) (GeRTP#2), have been structurally characterized from X-ray diffraction data at room temperature. In addition, a third structure, Rb(2)(TiO)(2)(PO(4))(2) (RTP), has been reinvestigated. The exchange of titanium for germanium results in a less distorted octahedral coordination around the two crystallographically independent titanium sites. Additionally, rubidium split-cation positions have been found in these doped RTP crystals. Dielectric measurements show that the phase-transition temperature, T(c), decreases with increasing germanium concentration, and a direct correlation between the room-temperature split of the rubidium cations and T(c) has been discovered. General trends regarding the relationship between the room-temperature structures of KTP-like compounds and their T(c) values are discussed.