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Science & ResearchJul 22, 2026

Imaging of nanoscale polar textures in quantum paraelectric SrTiO 3 .

When cooling towards a ferroelectric phase transition, collective atomic motions (phonons) slow down (soften) until a static atomic displacement pattern forms, giving rise to spontaneous polarization throughout the material 1 .

When cooling towards a ferroelectric phase transition, collective atomic motions (phonons) slow down (soften) until a static atomic displacement pattern forms, giving rise to spontaneous polarization throughout the material 1 . However, in quantum paraelectrics such as strontium…

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