Local proton dynamics in perovskite-type protonic conductors by spectral hole burning spectroscopy

Local proton dynamics in several kinds of perovskite-type high-temperature protonic conductors were investigated by spectral hole burning spectroscopy. Spectral holes based on light-induced protonic motion were observed. By applying a temperature-cycling technique, the potential barriers for local protonic motion, which is responsible for hole burning, were estimated. The values were several times lower than the activation energies obtained by electric conductivity measurements. The relationship between elementally protonic motion and long-range conduction mechanism is discussed based on these results.