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On-demand nanoengineering of in-plane ferroelectric topologies

Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Hierarchical assemblies of ferroelectric nanodomains (or superdomains) can exhibit exotic morphologies that lead to distinct behaviors and functionalities. Controlling these superdomains reliably is critical for realizing new states with desired functional properties. Here, using a biased atomic force microscopy tip we reveal a so-called super-switching mechanism of the in-plane superdomains of a model ferroelectric Pb0.6Sr0.4TiO3, demonstrating that the response of this material is dominated by a superdomain nucleation and super-boundary stabilization process. We show that the scanning-probe’s trajectory is key in stabilizing complex defect states, enabling on-demand formation of intricate center-divergent/convergent and flux-closure polar structures. Correlative piezoresponse force microscopy and optical spectroscopy confirm the topological nature and significant tunability of these emergent structures. The stability of the generated structures, validated by phase-field modeling, suggests potential for reliable multi-state nanodevice architectures, offering an alternative route for creating tunable topological structures in neuromorphic circuits, forging a new frontier in nanolithography for ferroics.
DOI: 10.1038/s41565-024-01792-1
Authors: Marti Checa, Bharat Pant, Alexander Puretzky, Bogdan Dryzhakov, Rama K. Vasudevan, Yongtao Liu, Pravin Kavle, Arvind Dasgupta, Lane W. Martin, Ye Cao, Liam Collins, Stephen Jesse, Neus Domingo, Kyle P. Kelley
Institutions: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, The University of Texas at Arlington, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, Rice University
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $12,290
Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative, Division of Materials Research, Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation, Basic Energy Sciences, Army Research Office, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Energy Frontier Research Centers
Awards: G1643708521, G1807881991, CENTER FOR 3D FERROELECTRIC MICROELECTRONICS, G2545227643, FuSe: Ultra-Low-Energy Logic-in-Memory Computing using Multiferroic Spintronics, G3257681466, G3477485686, G3786719750, Collaborative Research: Design and Demonstration of Persistent Spin Textures in Ferroelectric Oxide Thin Films, CENTER FOR 3D FERROELECTRIC MICROELECTRONICS, Novel Mechanical Functionality in Nano-Architectured Ferroelectrics via Rational Design of Free Energy Landscapes, G5805056487, G7452299184
OpenAlex ID: W4402874751
FWCI: 1.137
Cites: 51
Cited by: 12
Related to: 10