Phys.org October 7, 2024
Hierarchical assemblies of ferroelectric nanodomains can exhibit exotic morphologies that lead to distinct behaviours. Controlling these super-domains reliably is critical for realizing states with desired functional properties. A team of researchers in the US (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, University of Texas at Arlington, UC Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Rice University) described the super-switching mechanism by using a biased atomic force microscopy tip of a model ferroelectric Pb0.6Sr0.4TiO3. They demonstrated that the writing process was dominated by a super-domain nucleation and stabilization process. A complex scanning-probe trajectory enabled on-demand formation of intricate centre-divergent, centre-convergent and flux-closure polar structures. Correlative piezo response force microscopy and optical spectroscopy confirmed the topological nature and tunability of the emergent structures. The precise and versatile nanolithography in a ferroic material and the stability of the generated structures were validated by phase-field modelling. According to the researchers their work shows an alternative route for the creation of tunable topological structures for applications in neuromorphic circuits… read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ
Pristine super-domain distribution in PSTO. Credit: Nature Nanotechnology , 26 September, 2024