The formation of unusual slowly relaxing domains under an external dc electric field has been revealed in paratellurite (TeO₂) crystals. These domains differ from those arising in ferroics (ferromagnets, ferroelectrics, ferroelastics, etc.). The effect is characterized by the existence of a threshold field strength (at which domains begin to be formed) and long equilibrium settling times (up to a few hours, depending on the electric field strength). A crystal returns to the initial single-domain state also after a few hours after the field is switched off. High-resolution triple-crystal X-ray diffractometry has revealed that domains retaining the paraelastic tetragonal phase rotate with respect to each other in space without changing their lattice parameter. The domain sizes are 2–4 mm, depending on the field strength. Currently, the exact mechanisms of domain formation are unclear. Possible reasons for the formation of these defects and an analogy of the observed effects with the behavior of liquid crystals under electric field are discussed.

Time-resolved technique of X-ray diffraction curve measurement was implemented at a laboratory X-ray source using a high-speed data acquisition system. The time resolution of up to 100 µs was achieved via this X-ray diffractometry technique in the experiment of rocking curve dynamics measurement in a piezoelectric lanthanum-gallium silicate crystal under the influence of high voltage periodic pulsed electric field with an amplitude of 3.08 kV/mm corresponding to the pre-breakdown state. This perturbation caused a quick angular shift of the rocking curve caused by crystal lattice deformation due to the piezoelectric effect. The absence of the diffraction curve broadening effect was shown as well as the absence of the other significant relaxation-like variations of the curve parameters which are inherent for the migration of charge carriers (ions or vacancies) under the external electric field.