In the context of perovskite quantum paraelectrics, we study the effects of a quadrupolar interaction $J_q$, in addition to the standard dipolar one $J_d$. We concentrate here on the nonlinear dielectric response $\chi_{ P}^{ (3)}$, as the main response function sensitive to quadrupolar (in our case antiquadrupolar) interactions. We employ a 3D quantum four-state lattice model and mean-field theory. The results show that inclusion of quadrupolar coupling of moderate strength ($J_q \sim { { 1}\over{ 4}} J_d$) is clearly accompanied by a double change of sign of $\chi_{ P}^{ (3)}$ from negative to positive, near the quantum temperature $T_Q$ where the quantum paraelectric behaviour sets in. We fit our $\chi_{ P}^{ (3)}$ to recent experimental data for SrTiO$_3$, where the sign change is identified close to $T_Q \sim 37 K$.
Categories: mtrl-th cond-mat.mtrl-sci