Atomic imaging of mechanically induced topological transition of ferroelectric vortices

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15616-y
• Publication Date: 2020-04-15T10:03:12Z
• Authors: Pan Chen; Xiangli Zhong; Jacob A. Zorn; Mingqiang Li; Yuanwei Sun; Adeel Y. Abid; Chuanlai Ren; Yuehui Li; Xiaomei Li; Xiumei Ma; Jinbin Wang; Kaihui Liu; Zhi Xu; Congbing Tan; Longqing Chen; Peng Gao; Xuedong Bai
• Keywords: Nanoelectronics; Topological defect; Atomic units; Lattice (music)

Abstract 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 locally the a PbTiO 3 /SrTiO superlattice via atomically resolved in-situ scanning transmission electron microscopy. The undergo transition -domain with in-plane polarization compressive stress and spontaneously recover after removal of stress. We reveal detailed process at atomic scale reproduce this numerically using phase-field simulations. These findings provide new pathways control exotic ferroelectric structures also valuable insights into understanding lattice-charge nanoscale.