Freestanding Ferroelectric Bubble Domains. Issue 45 (19th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bakaul, Saidur R.; Prokhorenko, Sergei; Zhang, Qi; Nahas, Yousra; Hu, Yushi; Petford‐Long, Amanda; Bellaiche, Laurent; Valanoor, Nagarajan
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials. Volume 33:Issue 45(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-09-19
• Subjects: ferroelectric bubbles -- freestanding heterostructures -- ripples -- single‐crystal complex oxides -- skyrmions; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202105432
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0935-9648

Abstract

Abstract: Bubble‐like domains, typically a precursor to the electrical skyrmions, arise in ultrathin complex oxide ferroelectric–dielectric–ferroelectric heterostructures epitaxially clamped with flat substrates. Here, it is reported that these specially ordered electric dipoles can also be retained in a freestanding state despite the presence of inhomogeneously distributed structural ripples. By probing local piezo and capacitive responses and using atomistic simulations, this study analyzes these ripples, sheds light on how the bubbles are stabilized in the modified electromechanical energy landscape, and discusses the difference in morphology between bubbles in freestanding and as‐grown states. These results are anticipated to be the starting point of a new paradigm for the exploration of electric skyrmions with arbitrary boundaries and physically flexible topological orders in ferroelectric curvilinear space. Abstract : Ferroelectric bubble‐like domains, a precursor to electrical skyrmions, arise in epitaxially clamped complex oxide heterostructures. These specially ordered electric dipoles are stable in a freestanding state despite the presence of inhomogeneously distributed structural ripples. This finding opens the door to explore electric skyrmions with arbitrary boundaries and physically flexible topological orders in ferroelectric curvilinear space.