Domain-wall engineering and topological defects in ferroelectric and ferroelastic materials

in Nature Reviews. Physics (2020), 2(11), 634-648

Ferroelectric and ferroelastic domain walls are 2D topological defects with thicknesses approaching the unit cell level. When this spatial confinement is combined with observations of emergent functional ... [more ▼]

Ferroelectric and ferroelastic domain walls are 2D topological defects with thicknesses approaching the unit cell level. When this spatial confinement is combined with observations of emergent functional properties, such as polarity in non-polar systems or electrical conductivity in otherwise insulating materials, it becomes clear that domain walls represent new and exciting objects in matter. In this Review, we discuss the exotic polarization profiles that can arise at domain walls with multiple order parameters and the different mechanisms that lead to domain-wall polarity in non-polar ferroelastic materials. The emergence of energetically degenerate variants of the domain walls themselves suggests the existence of interesting quasi-1D topological defects within such walls. We also provide an overview of the general notions that have been postulated as fundamental mechanisms responsible for domain-wall conduction in ferroelectrics. We then discuss the prospect of combining domain walls with transition regions observed at phase boundaries, homo- and heterointerfaces, and other quasi-2D objects, enabling emergent properties beyond those available in today's topological systems. Ferroelectric and ferroelastic domain walls are 2D topological defects with thicknesses approaching the unit cell level and emergent functional properties. This Review discusses the exotic polarization profiles that arise at domain walls and the fundamental mechanisms responsible for domain-wall conduction. [less ▲]

Raman signatures of ferroic domain walls captured by principal component analysis

in Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter (2018), 30(3),

Ferroic domain walls are currently investigated by several state-of-the art techniques in order to get a better understanding of their distinct functional properties. Here, principal component analysis ... [more ▼]

Ferroic domain walls are currently investigated by several state-of-the art techniques in order to get a better understanding of their distinct functional properties. Here, principal component analysis (PCA) of Raman maps is used to study ferroelectric domain walls (DWs) in LiNbO3 and ferroelastic DWs in NdGaO3. It is shown that PCA allows us to quickly and reliably identify small Raman peak variations at ferroelectric DWs and that the value of a peak shift can be deduced-accurately and without a priori-from a first order Taylor expansion of the spectra. The ability of PCA to separate the contribution of ferroelastic domains and DWs to Raman spectra is emphasized. More generally, our results provide a novel route for the statistical analysis of any property mapped across a DW. [less ▲]

Low energy electron imaging of domains and domain walls in magnesium-doped lithium niobate

in SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (2016), 6

The understanding of domain structures, specifically domain walls currently attracts a significant attention in the field of (multi)-ferroic materials. In this article, we analyze contrast formation in ... [more ▼]

The understanding of domain structures, specifically domain walls currently attracts a significant attention in the field of (multi)-ferroic materials. In this article, we analyze contrast formation in full field electron microscopy applied to domains and domain walls in the uniaxial ferroelectric lithium niobate, which presents a large 3.8 eV band gap and for which conductive domain walls have been reported. We show that the transition from Mirror Electron Microscopy (MEM - electrons reflected) to Low Energy Electron Microscopy (LEEM - electrons backscattered) gives rise to a robust contrast between domains with upwards (P-up) and downwards (P-down) polarization, and provides a measure of the difference in surface potential between the domains. We demonstrate that out-of-focus conditions of imaging produce contrast inversion, due to image distortion induced by charged surfaces and also carry information on the polarization direction in the domains. Finally, we show that the intensity profile at domain walls provides experimental evidence for a local stray, lateral electric field. [less ▲]