Observation of Possible Ferroelectric Vortices in Bismuth Square Islands
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Ferroelectric vortices, with their unique topological polarization patterns, show great potential for next-generation electronics. Although they have been observed in compounds, their realization in single-element materials has remained elusive. Here, we experimentally prepare three-bilayer Bi(110) square-shaped islands on high- T C superconductor (Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+δ ) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. Scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy combined with first-principles calculations suggests the possible existence of in-plane polarization and a ferroelectric vortex state in our islands, as well as reveals exceptional vortex stability against electric-field-driven switching. This work could pioneer single-element ferroelectric vortices, potentially advancing topological ferroelectrics design and expanding the understanding of related fundamental physics.
Authors
- Sha-Sha Xue
- Yunhao Lu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6825-7206)
- Shiyong Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6603-9926)
- Dandan Guan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3714-8813)
- Xuhui Ning (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0561-3511)
- Yaoyi Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0054-4054)
- Canhua Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2240-3559)
- Jinfeng Jia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9900-281X)
- Hao Zheng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6495-874X)
- Qiao-Yan Yu
- Ruijun Xi
- Pengyu Hu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0251-0453)
- X K Liu
- Liang Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8339-468X)
- Xi Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9525-4737)
- Ji-Ce Sun
- Dang Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1127-7836)
- H Yang
- Tingwen Miao
- R B Zhong
- Xian Du
- Yi Zhang
- Shulin Zhong
Institutions
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CN)
- Southern University of Science and Technology (CN)
- Hefei University (CN)
- Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences (CN)
- Quantum Science Center of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (CN)
- Zhejiang University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- ACS Nano
- Published
- 2026-06-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c12505
- Primary Topic
- Topological Materials and Phenomena
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China
- Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality
- Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province