Polarization-independent aging in the relaxor 0.92 PbMg1/3 Nb2/3 O3 -0.08 PbTiO3

Spin-glass-like aging, showing rejuvenation upon cooling and a hole in susceptibility vs temperature at the aging temperature on warming, was found in the relaxor ferroelectric (PbMg1/3 Nb2/3 O3) 0.92 (PbTiO3) 0.08 (PMN-PT 8%). The magnitude and form of the aging memory hole produced at zero field showed little sensitivity to the magnitude of the previously induced polarization, up to near saturation. This result is incompatible with any picture in which the glassy aging arises from interactions among polar nanodomains, which account for most of the polarization. The results therefore support a picture in which the glassy aging arises from degrees of freedom other than the orientation of polar nanodomains.