On-demand nanoengineering of in-plane ferroelectric topologies
Hierarchical assemblies of ferroelectric nanodomains, so-called super-domains, can exhibit exotic morphologies that lead to distinct behaviours. Controlling these super-domains reliably is critical for realizing states with desired functional properties. Here we reveal the super-switching mechanism by using a biased atomic force microscopy tip, that is, the switching of the in-plane super-domains, of a model ferroelectric Pb<sub>0.6</sub>Sr<sub>0.4</sub>TiO<sub>3</sub>. We demonstrate that the writing process is dominated by a super-domain nucleation and stabilization process. A complex scanning-probe trajectory enables on-demand formation of intricate centre-divergent, centre-convergent and flux-closure polar structures. Correlative piezoresponse force microscopy and optical spectroscopy confirm 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, also validated by phase-field modelling, suggests potential for reliable multi-state nanodevice architectures and, thereby, an alternative route for the creation of tunable topological structures for applications in neuromorphic circuits.
Authors
- Rama Krishnan Vasudevan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4692-8579)
- Pravin Kavle (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4066-7905)
- Bogdan Dryzhakov (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2156-4396)
- Arvind Dasgupta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5130-6937)
- Alexander A. Puretzky (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9996-4429)
- Bharat Pant (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2912-0319)
- Liam Collins (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4946-9195)
- Yongtao Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0152-1783)
- Lane W. Martin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1889-2513)
- Ye Cao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7365-7447)
- Neus Domingo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5229-6638)
- Kyle P. Kelley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7688-0484)
- Martí Checa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2607-6866)
- Stephen Jesse (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1168-8483)
Institutions
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (US)
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (US)
- The University of Texas at Arlington (US)
- Rice University (US)
- University of California, Berkeley (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Nanotechnology
- Published
- 2024-09-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-024-01792-1
- Citations
- 9
- Primary Topic
- Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Materials
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.05
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