Engineering polar vortex from topologically trivial domain architecture

Topologically nontrivial polar structures are not only attractive for high-density data storage, but also for ultralow power microelectronics thanks to their exotic negative capacitance. The vast majority of polar structures emerging naturally in ferroelectrics, however, are topologically trivial, a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature communications 2021-07, Vol.12 (1), p.4620-4620, Article 4620
Main Authors: Tan, Congbing, Dong, Yongqi, Sun, Yuanwei, Liu, Chang, Chen, Pan, Zhong, Xiangli, Zhu, Ruixue, Liu, Mingwei, Zhang, Jingmin, Wang, Jinbin, Liu, Kaihui, Bai, Xuedong, Yu, Dapeng, Ouyang, Xiaoping, Wang, Jie, Gao, Peng, Luo, Zhenlin, Li, Jiangyu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
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147/137
147/143
147/3
639/301/1005/1008
639/766/119/996
Arrays
Capacitance
Data storage
Domains
Elastostatics
Ferroelectric materials
Ferroelectricity
Ferroelectrics
Humanities and Social Sciences
Lamella
Lead titanates
multidisciplinary
Polar vortex
Reconstruction
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Strip
Strontium titanates
Superlattices
Thin films
Topology
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Summary:Topologically nontrivial polar structures are not only attractive for high-density data storage, but also for ultralow power microelectronics thanks to their exotic negative capacitance. The vast majority of polar structures emerging naturally in ferroelectrics, however, are topologically trivial, and there are enormous interests in artificially engineered polar structures possessing nontrivial topology. Here we demonstrate reconstruction of topologically trivial strip-like domain architecture into arrays of polar vortex in (PbTiO 3 ) 10 /(SrTiO 3 ) 10 superlattice, accomplished by fabricating a cross-sectional lamella from the superlattice film. Using a combination of techniques for polarization mapping, atomic imaging, and three-dimensional structure visualization supported by phase field simulations, we reveal that the reconstruction relieves biaxial epitaxial strain in thin film into a uniaxial one in lamella, changing the subtle electrostatic and elastostatic energetics and providing the driving force for the polar vortex formation. The work establishes a realistic strategy for engineering polar topologies in otherwise ordinary ferroelectric superlattices. The majority of polar structures emerging naturally in ferroelectrics are topologically trivial. Here, the authors demonstrate reconstruction of topologically trivial strip-like domain architecture into arrays of polar vortex in (PbTiO 3 ) 10 /(SrTiO 3 ) 10 superlattice.
ISSN:2041-1723
2041-1723
DOI:10.1038/s41467-021-24922-y