Switching the chirality of a ferroelectric vortex in designed nanostructures by a homogeneous electric field

Lich, Le Van; Shimada, Takahiro; Wang, Jie; Dinh, Van‐Hai; Bui, Tinh Quoc; Kitamura, Takayuki

doi:10.1103/physrevb.96.134119

Cited by 45 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…[ 69 ] On the basis of both the experimental results and the phase‐field simulations, the vortex structure results (primarily) from competition between three energies—elastic energy (PbTiO 3 layers in tensile strain on DyScO 3 substrate), electrostatic energy from built‐in field (large polar discontinuity at the interfaces from PbTiO 3 to SrTiO 3 layers), and gradient energy (the energy required to rotate or change the direction or magnitude of the polarization). The emergent chirality identified in these ordered arrays of polar vortex phase indicates that complex polar topologies similar to those of ferromagnetic materials can also be achieved, [ 89,90 ] which encourages further exploring of other types of polar topologies in ferroelectrics, such as polar bubbles and skyrmions.…”

Section: Topological Structures In Ferroelectric/ferroelastic Thin Fimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The elastic, electrostatic, and gradient energies compete such a way that topological nontrivial polar texture could occur automatically in ferroelectric system. The presence of nonuniform polarization mode in ferroelectrics enables the possibility to create novel functionalities previously inaccessible in the parent materials, such as enhanced electronic conductivity, [ 14,88 ] enhanced magnetization, [ 16 ] giant electromechanical response, [ 78 ] chirality, [ 89,90 ] negative capacitance, [ 91,92 ] etc., and could provide a new paradigm for potential applications in nanoelectronic devices, including ultradense nonvolatile memories and low‐power transistors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Recent Progress on Topological Structures in Ferroic Thin Films and Heterostructures

et al. 2020

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Topological spin/polarization structures in ferroic materials continue to draw great attention as a result of their fascinating physical behaviors and promising applications in the field of high‐density nonvolatile memories as well as future energy‐efficient nanoelectronic and spintronic devices. Such developments have been made, in part, based on recent advances in theoretical calculations, the synthesis of high‐quality thin films, and the characterization of their emergent phenomena and exotic phases. Herein, progress over the last decade in the study of topological structures in ferroic thin films and heterostructures is explored, including the observation of topological structures and control of their structures and emergent physical phenomena through epitaxial strain, layer thickness, electric, magnetic fields, etc. First, the evolution of topological spin structures (e.g., magnetic skyrmions) and associated functionalities (e.g., topological Hall effect) in magnetic thin films and heterostructures is discussed. Then, the exotic polar topologies (e.g., domain walls, closure domains, polar vortices, bubble domains, and polar skyrmions) and their emergent physical properties in ferroelectric oxide films and heterostructures are explored. Finally, a brief overview and prospectus of how the field may evolve in the coming years is provided.

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Section: Topological Structures In Ferroelectric/ferroelastic Thin Fimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Progress on Topological Structures in Ferroic Thin Films and Heterostructures

et al. 2020

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“…To enable the application of the polarization vortices in the systems described above in nanotechnology, we need to be able to effectively manipulate the order parameters and phase transitions under external stimuli. Theoretical studies have proposed switching either by a curled electric field 14 or by rationally designed nanostructures, such as nanorings 15 or notched nanodots 16 . Experimental investigation was only limited in a phase coexistence (vortex and a1/a2 phase) system by Damodaran et al 17 , who used an atomic force microscopy (AFM) tip to apply an external electric field to a mixed phase system and demonstrated the interconversion between vortices and the regular ferroelectric phase by X-ray diffraction and second-harmonic generation.…”

Section: Ferroelectric Vortices Formed Through Complex Lattice-charge...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Atomic imaging of mechanically induced topological transition of ferroelectric vortices

et al. 2020

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Ferroelectric vortices formed through complex lattice–charge interactions have great potential in applications for future nanoelectronics such as memories. For practical applications, it is crucial to manipulate these topological states under external stimuli. Here, we apply mechanical loads to locally manipulate the vortices in a PbTiO3/SrTiO3 superlattice via atomically resolved in-situ scanning transmission electron microscopy. The vortices undergo a transition to the a-domain with in-plane polarization under external compressive stress and spontaneously recover after removal of the stress. We reveal the detailed transition process at the atomic scale and reproduce this numerically using phase-field simulations. These findings provide new pathways to control the exotic topological ferroelectric structures for future nanoelectronics and also valuable insights into understanding of lattice-charge interactions at nanoscale.

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“…Nevertheless, it is still a challenge in practice to realize a large enough and highly localized curled electric field to switch the vortex [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. To avoid the use of curled electric fields, various vortex switching strategies have been also proposed, e.g., via geometry design [9][10][11][12], defect engineering [13,14], asymmetric mechanical loads [14][15][16], nonuniform electric fields [17], sweeping tip fields [18], etc. The key idea of these strategies is to bring some kind of asymmetry to the vortex system, such that nucleation of vortex with a deterministic charity is favored.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Path-dependent Vortex Switching in Ferroelectric Nanoplate Junctions Toward a Memory Device Concept

2022

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Ferroelectric vortex has attracted much attention as a promising candidate for memories with high density and high stability. It is a crucial problem to precisely manipulate the vortex chirality in order to utilize it to store information. Nevertheless, so far, a practical and direct strategy for vortex switching is still lacking. Moreover, the strong coupling of chirality between neighboring vortices in continuous systems like superlattices limits the application of ferroelectric-vortex-based memories. Here, we design a ferroelectric nanoplate junction to break the strong coupling between neighboring vortices. Phase-field simulation results demonstrate that the vortex chirality of the nanoplates could be efficiently tuned by sweeping local electric and thermal fields in the nanoplate junction. More importantly, the weak coupling between two neighboring nanoplates through the intermediate junction brings a deterministic vortex switching behavior. Based on this, we propose a concept of vortex memory devices. Our study provides an effective way to control the vortex chirality and suggests an opportunity for designing new memory devices based on ferroelectric vortex.

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Switching the chirality of a ferroelectric vortex in designed nanostructures by a homogeneous electric field

Cited by 45 publications

References 59 publications

Recent Progress on Topological Structures in Ferroic Thin Films and Heterostructures

Recent Progress on Topological Structures in Ferroic Thin Films and Heterostructures

Atomic imaging of mechanically induced topological transition of ferroelectric vortices

Path-dependent Vortex Switching in Ferroelectric Nanoplate Junctions Toward a Memory Device Concept

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